By Joel Ajayi
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs.) Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has called on all Nigerian civil servants to embrace innovation, dedication, and integrity in service delivery, urging them to do their work so excellently that it becomes impossible to ignore.
Speaking at the finale of a historic FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE REWARDS AND RECOGNITION AWARDS CEREMONY, ON SATURDAY, AT THE STATE HOUSE BANQUET HALL, PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ASO ROCK, ABUJA. The HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION, Walson-Jack emphasized that true impact does not require being in the spotlight.
“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,” she said.
According to her, the award ceremony, now a key feature of the Civil Service calendar, serves as a powerful statement that excellence will never go unnoticed.
“The future of public service is not coming—it is already here. At the International Civil Service Conference (ICSC), we laid out our aspirations, and now we are taking action,” she stated.
She outlined key reform milestones achieved by the Federal Civil Service, including the digitisation of core processes across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), capacity-building initiatives for leadership, reform of performance management systems to reward merit, and a renewed focus on people-centred governance.
“Our greatest asset is not our policies—it’s our people,” she stressed.
Addressing the award recipients, Walson-Jack commended their commitment and service:
“Thank you for proving that the Civil Service can be noble, not just necessary. Excellence is not a one-time act; it is a habit. Wear your medals with pride—but let your humility shine even brighter.”
To civil servants who were not recognized this year, she offered encouragement: “Your work is not invisible. Recognition may take time, but it will come. Keep showing up, give your best, and raise the bar. Excellence is never wasted.”
The ceremony marked the grand finale of a historic Civil Service Week, which included the successful hosting of the maiden International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) in Abuja. Delegates from around the world gathered to share innovations and redefine what it means to be a 21st-century civil servant.
Reflecting on the event, Walson-Jack thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering support of public service reforms.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan; it is a commitment to dignity, fairness, innovation, and reward. His Excellency’s presence at the ICSC was a powerful demonstration of his dedication to the transformation agenda. From the new minimum wage to pension reforms, the President has made it clear: our Civil Servants matter.”
She acknowledged that the ICSC was about vision, while the awards night was about validation.
“Our Civil Service is not asleep—it is awake, alert, and advancing. Transformation doesn’t happen in boardrooms alone; it happens in the daily dedication of men and women like those we celebrate tonight.”
The awardees were described as “quiet reformers”—individuals who consistently show up, meet deadlines, write policies, fix systems, and do so with a smile. She stressed that punctuality and attendance must be seen as the new face of Civil Service reform.
“Resuming work at 8:00 a.m. is not just a rule—it is a culture we must reclaim. When we arrive on time, we demonstrate respect for our system, our colleagues, and the citizens we serve.”
She also noted with concern that some MDAs failed to submit nominations for the awards or submitted candidates who did not meet the established criteria, emphasizing that recognition must be rooted in merit and active participation.
“As we look ahead, we urge all MDAs to engage proactively, nominate diligently, and uphold the excellence these awards are meant to celebrate.”
Walson-Jack closed her address with a charge to all civil servants:“Let us clap louder than we complain, celebrate more than we criticise, and remember that at the heart of government is one powerful word: Service. To all Civil Servants across the country: this is your moment. Own it. Honour it. Multiply it. Congratulations to all the awardees.”
