By Ebi Kesiena
The Federal Government of Nigeria has honoured 18 outstanding civil servants for exemplary performance, integrity, and innovation during the 2025 Federal Civil Service Rewards and Recognition Awards Ceremony, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mrs. Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), following the award ceremony, which marked the grand finale of the 2025 Civil Service Week celebrations.
The highest honour of the night, the Presidential Distinguished Civil Service Career Award, was bestowed on Engr. (Dr.) Bahijjahtu Hadiza Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Federal Ministry of Environment, for her pioneering work in environmental sustainability. Similarly, Dr. Oluwabamidele Ibrahim Kobe, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer at the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, received the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation EPIC Award for his outstanding contributions to policy innovation and administrative excellence.
Other honourees were recognised in categories such as Digital Transformation, Citizen-Centric Service Delivery, and Public Sector Innovation, highlighting the government’s commitment to building a modern, merit-based civil service.
In her keynote address, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, praised the awardees as “quiet achievers” whose work continues to advance national development. She reaffirmed the importance of workplace discipline and ethics, describing punctuality and commitment as critical pillars of reform.
“Reporting to duty by 8:00 a.m. is not just procedural—it’s a demonstration of accountability to both the institution and the public,” she said, urging civil servants to uphold professionalism and public trust.
Mrs. Walson-Jack emphasised that transformation is driven by dedication and discipline, not theory. While congratulating the winners, she encouraged all civil servants to stay motivated, reminding them that “every act of integrity contributes to Nigeria’s progress.”
She also acknowledged the successful hosting of the maiden International Civil Service Conference earlier in the week, which convened global reformers in Abuja to chart a modern future for public administration. She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support for civil service reform under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
