The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting excellence, integrity, innovation, accountability and merit in the Federal Civil Service as outstanding public servants were honoured at the 2026 Federal Civil Service Rewards and Recognition Award Ceremony in Abuja.

‎The ceremony, held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, was attended by senior government officials and other stakeholders. Representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Sani Aminu Yargaya, described the award recipients as public servants whose character, discipline, integrity and commitment to duty had distinguished them.

Akume said the values demonstrated by the awardees were critical to strengthening public confidence in government and advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a more effective, responsive and results-oriented public service. He added that the Federal Civil Service remained the machinery through which government policies and national priorities were translated into programmes, projects and services for Nigerians.

In her keynote address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the ceremony as a demonstration of the Service’s commitment to recognising excellence and rewarding performance that delivers value to citizens. She said the Rewards and Recognition System was founded on the principle that excellence should be recognised, integrity celebrated and outstanding service acknowledged.

Walson-Jack disclosed that the system operates at three levels: Monthly Departmental, Annual Ministerial and Service-Wide Rewards and Recognition. She urged Permanent Secretaries to provide the leadership required to identify, recognise and encourage deserving officers, while charging the award recipients to sustain their performance, mentor younger officers and uphold the values that earned them the recognition.

‎She also commended President Tinubu for his support for Civil Service transformation and the SGF for his leadership and partnership in advancing reforms. The HCSF acknowledged the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation for supporting the HCSF EPIC Award with cash prizes, Leadway Assurance Company Limited for donating the overall winner’s star prize, a brand-new vehicle, and the Nigerian Communications Commission for its partnership.

The Presidential Distinguished Civil Service Career Award was won by Ujam Claris of the Federal Ministry of Education, who received the star prize of a brand-new SUV. Other awardees included Abumoye Ayo Emmanuel, who received the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award; Anthony Okechukwu Ogwo and Peter Ochoche Emmanuel, who received the HCSF EPIC Award; and the Youth Help Desk of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, which won the Civil Service Excellence Award.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment won the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award, while Aseyaiseimor Pente Kelvin and Yaman Kate Akpoarebi received the Sports Achievement Award. The ceremony, according to the OHCSF, underscores the Federal Government’s determination to build a Civil Service where performance is visible, excellence is rewarded, integrity is valued and outstanding contributions translate into improved service delivery for Nigerians.