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For their extraordinary performances, about 18 Federal Civil Servants on Saturday night were honoured by the Federal Government and other stakeholders.
They were honoured during the 2025 civil service awards night at the Banquet Hall of the State House Abuja.
The government also specially recognised two Federal Ministries during the event.
Speaking at the occasion, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described them as quiet reformers who have consistently demonstrated excellence, integrity, and dedication in service to the nation.
She said "This evening, we come together to honour the unsung heroes who breathe life
into public service.
"This Awards night is the grand finale of a historic Civil Service week. Just days ago, we hosted the Maiden International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) right here in Abuja, with delegates from across the world. We heard ideas.
"We shared innovations. We redefined what it means to be a 21st-century Civil
Servant. And now, tonight, we bring that energy home by celebrating those who have lived those ideals long before they became hashtags.
“They show up on time, meet deadlines, write policies, fix systems, and still manage to maintain a smile.
“Tonight, we pause to acknowledge the busyness and say: we see you. We thank you. We honour you."
Thanking President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering support, she said that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan; it is a
commitment.
"A commitment to dignity, fairness, innovation, and reward. His
Excellency’s presence at the International Civil Service Conference, where he
graciously declared the event open, was a powerful demonstration of his dedication to the Civil Service and its transformation agenda.
"The ICSC was about vision. Tonight is about validation, validation that our Civil Service is not asleep. It is awake, alert, and advancing. Our theme this
week has been transformation. And transformation, my friends, doesn't happen in boardrooms alone; it happens in the daily dedication of men and
women like the ones we are celebrating tonight."
The HCSF went on "These awardees are not just workers. They are reformers, quiet reformer. Their commitment to duty is not measured only by output, but by their presence, consistently accounted for and dependable.
"Let me emphasise this clearly: punctuality and regular attendance are the foundation of excellence in public service. 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. Going forward, let us make punctuality and attendance the new face
of reform in our Civil Service.
"These honourees are not perfect, but they are purposeful. Let me say this clearly: you do not need to be in the spotlight to make
an impact. The light shines brightest on those who serve with integrity in the shadows. And this award ceremony, now a fixture on our Civil Service calendar, is one of the ways we say: excellence will not go unnoticed."
Assuring that the work of those who didn't get award is not invisible, she added "You
may not be on this stage, but your time is coming. Keep showing up, give your best, and continually raise the bar. Recognition may take time, but it will come.
"Do not give up because excellence is never wasted. Let this moment
challenge us all to dig deeper, aim higher, and commit more boldly to the values that define true service. The charge is simple: do your work so well that it cannot be ignored."
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, commended the dedication and resilience of Nigeria’s civil servants.
According to him, they are the backbone of governance and national development.
He said that the President Tinubu administration remains fully committed to creating an enabling environment for the public service to thrive through reforms that promote merit, innovation, and accountability.
The list of awadees included one civil servant from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Bahijjatu Hadiza, won the presidential star prize of an SUV, an award plaque, a laptop, a foreign short course, a masterclass programme, and an award certificate.
Another civil servant from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Chukwudi Ekwenugo, won an SUV, N500,000; a laptop, a foreign short course, among others.
Other award winners went home with cash prizes ranging from N250,000 to N500,000 alongside laptops and houses, and other items.