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Tinubu warns against patronage culture, urges consequences for misconduct
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Governor of Enugu State Peter Mbah, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike led a roster of top public servants honoured at the third Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS 2025) held on Sunday night at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
The awards, organised by The Best Strategic Media in collaboration with the SGF’s office, spotlighted 50 recipients selected on empirical performance data across federal and state levels.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Akume, demanded tougher accountability in the civil service, warning that lax enforcement breeds public cynicism.
Tinubu stressed that public service demands unwavering integrity. “Public Service is a public trust where Officers and even employees must be accountable to the people whom they should serve at all times with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency. They are expected to act with patriotism and think out of the box in order to solve the many problems facing the people which they lead,” he said in his address.
He further cautioned against systemic flaws: “The unsystematic enforcement of law and institutional mechanisms for holding civil servants and public officials accountable of their actions will always lead to a negative impression to the citizens. I wish that leaders will arise and stand up to be counted among leaders who have distinguished themselves to do the right thing and leave their footprints on the sands of time.”
Tinubu noted: “This award is a validation of your approach, but much more a motivation to continue doing more towards the attainment of a better Nigeria in all sectors of economy.” The ceremony reinforced merit-driven governance amid global graft challenges like nepotism and patronage.
Akume, delivering remarks via Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, hailed the event as a merit-based scorecard. “This is purely a private sector driven initiative, which has independently accessed the performance of public servants in the discharge of their roles and responsibilities and have nominated the recipients of today’s awards. This is indeed a scorecard of our public officers,” he noted. He urged sustained excellence: “I would like to encourage all recipients of this Excellence Award not to relent in their efforts towards contributing to the growth and development of the Public Service and the society at large because growth and development should continually be our aspiration.”
Akume praised the organisers: “I want to use this opportunity to thank The Best Strategic Media for initiating this award and for a thorough work done in the selection of these eminent persons and organisations.”
NEAPS 2025 Advisory Committee Chair, Mary Odili, tied the awards to broader economic ambitions. She called for bold targets: even partial achievement yields progress toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030, urging asset monetisation, privatisation fixes, and public-private execution. “Nigeria must harness its entrepreneurial spirit and work collectively for national progress,” she emphasised.
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Governor Peter Mbah received dual honours for Excellence in Economic Modernisation, 2025, and Excellence in Bureaucratic Leadership and National Coordination, 2025, celebrating his reforms in Enugu and federal coordination. Akume was recognised for Excellence in Bureaucratic Leadership and National Coordination, 2025. Wike won Excellence in Transformative City Development, 2025, for FCT infrastructure drives.
Other honourees at the third Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS 2025) included a distinguished group of leaders recognised for exceptional contributions across a range of sectors.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri received the Excellence in Infrastructure and Urban Development, 2025, award for his commitment to infrastructural progress. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed was honoured with Excellence in Governance and Regional Growth, 2025, acknowledging his effective leadership in regional development. Zamfara State Governor Dr. Dauda Lawal earned Excellence in Governance and Security Reform, 2025, highlighting his efforts in enhancing security in his state. Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo was recognised for Excellence in Public Sector Accountability and Leadership, 2025, affirming his dedication to transparency.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State received the Excellence in Sustainable Development and Community Empowerment, 2025, award in recognition of his work advancing sustainability and community initiatives. The Governor of Kano State was presented with the Excellence in Visionary Leadership and Public Sector Reform, 2025, award for his forward-looking governance reforms.
At the federal level, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, Wale Edun, was honoured with Excellence in Economic Coordination and Fiscal Policy Leadership, 2025. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, won the Excellence in Aviation Sector Reform, 2025. Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim earned Excellence in Gender Policy and Social Inclusion, 2025, for her advocacy.
Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, was recognised with Excellence in Revenue and Customs Administration, 2025. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, received Excellence in Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Implementation, 2025. Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, earned Excellence in Immigration Reform and Border Security, 2025.
Director and CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Hafsat Bakari, was honoured with Excellence in Strengthening Anti-Corruption Frameworks, 2025. NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), was awarded Excellence in Drug Control Leadership and Public Safety Reform. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, received Excellence in Public Communication and Transparency.
Samuel Ogbuku of the Niger Delta Development Commission earned Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Regional Growth.
In the energy sector, Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, was recognised for Excellence in Transparency and Accountability. Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, earned Excellence in Energy Regulation and Sectoral Stability, 2025.
Dakorinama Alabo George Kelly, Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency, received the Excellence in Inclusive National Growth, 2025. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was honoured with Excellence in Integrity and Anti-Corruption Leadership, 2025.
