The Federal Government has clarified its decision to award 18 exceptional civil servants with sport utility vehicles (SUVs), laptops, and other high-value gifts, stating that the gesture recognises their silent but significant contributions to national development through public service reform.
At the 2025 Civil Service Awards Night held on Saturday in Abuja, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the honourees as “quiet reformers” who consistently demonstrate excellence, integrity, and discipline within a system that is often demanding and underappreciated.
“These individuals show up early, meet deadlines, craft policies, troubleshoot systems, and still manage to wear a smile,” she said. “Tonight, we take a moment to pause and say: we see you, we thank you, and we honour you.”
Among the top recipients, Dr. Bahijjatu Hadiza from the Federal Ministry of Environment emerged as the winner of the prestigious Presidential Star Prize. Her award package included an SUV, a plaque, a laptop, an international short course, a masterclass programme, and an award certificate.
Similarly, Chukwudi Ekwenugo from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy received an SUV, a laptop, N500,000 cash, and a foreign short course, among other benefits.
Other awardees received cash prizes ranging from N250,000 to N500,000, along with laptops and certificates.
Mrs. Walson-Jack urged public servants who were not recognised this year to remain committed, stressing that diligence will eventually be rewarded. “Recognition may take time, but it will come. Do your work so well that it cannot be ignored,” she advised.
However, she expressed concern that some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) either failed to submit nominations or presented candidates who did not meet the required criteria. She called for greater diligence and compliance in subsequent editions.
The awards ceremony concluded a week of events that included the maiden International Civil Service Conference at Eagle Square, which drew over 5,000 delegates from around the world to explore best practices and innovations in public administration.
Mrs. Walson-Jack reaffirmed the awards night as a permanent fixture on the civil service calendar, aimed at celebrating the unseen contributions of civil servants. She also praised President Bola Tinubu for his support of civil service reform, citing advancements in digitisation, performance management, and improved welfare packages such as the new minimum wage and pension reforms.
Emphasising discipline and punctuality as key pillars of reform, she stated, “Resuming work by 8:00 a.m. is not just a rule — it is a culture we must reclaim. Timeliness reflects respect for the system, our colleagues, and the Nigerian people.”
Representing the President at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, lauded civil servants for their resilience and commitment, describing them as the foundation of effective governance.
He reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to fostering a public service culture built on meritocracy, innovation, and accountability.
