•Yusuf, Mbah, Eno, Akume, Wike, others receive NEAPS 2025 award

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has called for stricter enforcement of accountability across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in order to rebuild public trust in government institutions.

Tinubu made the call at the third Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service at the State House, Abuja.

President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, warned that weak sanctions and lax oversight often fuel public cynicism about governance.

“The unsystematic enforcement of law and institutional mechanisms for holding civil servants and public officials accountable will always lead to a negative impression to the citizens.”

He urged leaders to uphold ethical standards in public life.

“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 stressed that public service is a trust that must be exercised with responsibility, integrity and efficiency, adding that officers must think creatively to solve citizens’ challenges.

Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, Governor Abba  Yusuf of Kano State, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Akume, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike led a roster of top public servants that were honoured at the event.

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.

Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, also charged honourees not to relent in nation-building efforts. “Do not slow down. Keep contributing to the growth and development of the public service and the society at large.”

Idris praised TBS Media for a thorough job in evaluating performance and pledged continued collaboration.

He said the awards provide a credible scorecard for public officers and an incentive to improve service delivery.

NEAPS 2025 Advisory Committee chair, Mary Odili, tied the awards to broader economic ambitions. She called for bold targets, stressing that even partial achievement yields progress toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and urging asset monetisation, privatisation fixes and public-private execution. “Nigeria must harness its entrepreneurial spirit and work collectively for national progress,” she emphasised.

Governor  Yusuf was honoured for his administration’s achievements in education, healthcare, agriculture, urban renewal, infrastructure and social welfare.

The award recognised the wide‑scale rehabilitation of schools, mass teachers’ recruitment and increased funding for public education under Yusuf.

The health sector had seen revamped primary‑care centres, upgraded hospitals and broader access to quality medical services. Agricultural programmes had been revitalised through farmer‑support schemes, timely input distribution and strengthened extension services, while an aggressive urban‑renewal drive is restoring Kano’s status as a modern, liveable metropolis.

Governor 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 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 while 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, 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 (NDDC) earned Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Regional Growth.

In the energy sector, Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), 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, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was honoured with Excellence in Integrity and Anti Corruption Leadership, 2025.