18 Workers, Two MDAs Honoured as Federal Civil Service Week Ends
A total of 18 outstanding civil servants and two Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were recognised on Saturday evening at the 2025 Federal Civil Service Rewards and Recognition Awards Ceremony, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The event, which marked the climax of the week-long Civil Service Week celebration, brought together top government officials, development partners, and members of the diplomatic and corporate communities.
In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the honourees as “quiet reformers” who have consistently demonstrated excellence, integrity, and dedication in service to the nation.
“They show up on time, meet deadlines, write policies, fix systems, and still manage to maintain a smile,” Walson-Jack said. “Tonight, we pause to acknowledge the busyness and say: we see you. We thank you. We honour you.”
She noted that the awards ceremony is now a fixture on the civil service calendar and serves as a tangible way of celebrating public servants whose daily work often goes unnoticed.
The ceremony followed a successful maiden International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Eagles Square in Abuja, which brought together over 5,000 delegates from across the world to exchange ideas and explore innovations in public sector management.
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“The ICSC was about vision. Tonight is about validation—that our civil service is not asleep. It is awake, alert, and advancing,” she said.
The Head of Service praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for civil service reforms, citing recent strides in digitisation, performance management, and welfare, including the new minimum wage and pension reforms.
She also used the occasion to call for greater punctuality and discipline in the service, insisting that early resumption and consistent attendance must become the new face of reform.
“Resuming work by 8:00 a.m. 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.”
While applauding the efforts of those honoured, Walson-Jack encouraged other public servants not to be discouraged if they were not recognised this year.
“Recognition may take time, but it will come. Do your work so well that it cannot be ignored,” she charged.
However, she expressed disappointment that some MDAs either failed to submit nominations or put forward candidates who did not meet the criteria, urging better compliance and seriousness in future editions.
In his special address, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, commended the dedication and resilience of Nigeria’s civil servants, describing them as the backbone of governance and national development.
He noted that the Tinubu administration remains fully committed to creating an enabling environment for the public service to thrive through reforms that promote merit, innovation, and accountability.
