The Federal Government has said that the 18 civil servants who received sports utility vehicles, laptops, and other prizes were honoured for their quiet but important contributions to public service reform.
At the 2025 Civil Service Awards Night held in Abuja on Saturday, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, said the awardees were chosen for showing discipline, integrity, and commitment in a system that often overlooks such values.
“They show up on time, meet deadlines, write policies, fix systems, and still manage to maintain a smile,” she said. “Tonight, we pause to acknowledge the busyness and say: we see you. We thank you. We honour you.”
Dr Bahijjatu Hadiza from the Federal Ministry of Environment won the presidential star prize. She was given an SUV, a plaque, a laptop, an international short course, a masterclass, and a certificate.
Another winner, Chukwudi Ekwenugo from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, got an SUV, N500,000 cash, a laptop, and a foreign course package.
Other winners went home with prizes ranging from N250,000 to N500,000, along with laptops and other items.
Walson-Jack encouraged civil servants who were not recognised this year to continue working hard. “Recognition may take time, but it will come. Do your work so well that it cannot be ignored,” she said.
She expressed concern that some ministries, departments, and agencies failed to submit nominations or sent in candidates who did not meet the selection standards. She called for better cooperation in future editions.
The awards came after the first-ever International Civil Service Conference, which was held at Eagle Square earlier in the week and attended by over 5,000 delegates from around the world.
Walson-Jack also thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting civil service reforms, including digitisation, performance management, and welfare improvements like the new minimum wage and pension changes.
She urged civil servants to return to the culture of punctuality and discipline. “Resuming work by 8:00 am is not just a rule; it is a culture we must reclaim and uphold. When we arrive on time, we demonstrate respect for the system, our colleagues, and the citizens we serve,” she said.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who represented the President, praised the awardees and described civil servants as the backbone of national development. He said the government remained committed to creating an environment where public service can thrive with innovation and accountability.
