Civil Service Shines Bright As FCT Hosts 2025 Rewards, Recognition Awards
Didi Walson-Jack: “We honour impact not rank”
It was an evening of pride, purpose, and powerful reflections as Nigeria’s civil servants took centre stage at the 2025 Federal Civil Service Rewards and Recognition Awards held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The event, which marked the grand finale of the Civil Service Week, saw civil servants from across the country gather to celebrate excellence, dedication, and quiet reform in public service.
In a heartfelt keynote address, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, hailed the awardees as “unsung heroes” and “quiet reformers” who embody the spirit of service not just in word but in action.
“Tonight, we do what we often forget to do — we celebrate ourselves,” she declared. “These awardees are not perfect, but they are purposeful. They are the reason this Service is not just enduring but evolving.”
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to civil service transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Walson-Jack highlighted the strides made during the historic Civil Service Week, which featured the maiden International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) with global delegates in attendance. She lauded President Tinubu for leading reforms in minimum wage, pension, and performance management — all placing people at the centre.
“This is not just about a vision; it’s about validation,” she said. “We’ve digitised core processes, prioritised training, and made merit the new benchmark.”
However, she didn’t shy away from offering some tough love. The Head of Service pointed out that several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) failed to submit nominations or fell short of standards, calling for a renewed culture of diligence and merit-based recognition.
To the award winners, she offered a simple charge: “Wear your medals with pride, but let your humility shine brighter.” And to others still striving: “Keep showing up. Excellence is never wasted.”
With music and celebration filling the air, Walson-Jack left the audience with one final reminder: “At the heart of government is one powerful word — service.”
The night ended not only with applause for the recipients, but a renewed commitment to a civil service that works, reforms, and delivers.