A senior civil servant, Dr Clarice Ujah of the Federal Ministry of Education, has emerged as the biggest individual winner at the 2026 Federal Civil Service Rewards and Recognition Award Ceremony. She received a brand-new car for outstanding performance and career excellence.

Ujah was presented with the Presidential Distinguished Civil Service Career Award at a ceremony held at the State House in Abuja. The Federal Ministry of Education also recorded the highest number of awards, including the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award and the Head of Service EPIC Award.

Representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Permanent Secretary Sani Aminu said the administration had turned rewards for hard work into a more institutionalised system.

He noted that the Federal Executive Council had approved policies aimed at promoting high performance and retaining talent in the public service.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, said the award scheme was designed to identify, celebrate and reward exceptional performance. She expressed concern that the 2026 edition recorded the lowest number of recipients, blaming some ministries for failing to submit nominations.

Walson-Jack urged Permanent Secretaries to ensure deserving officers are regularly nominated. She also advised the award winners to see the recognition as a call to greater service, reminding them that the real work continues after the celebrations.

Photo credit: The Sun Nigeria