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 on Sunday, at the third Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service held at the State House, Abuja. The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, warned that weak sanctions and lax oversight often fuel public cynicism about governance.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu emphasized the importance of systematic enforcement of law and institutional mechanisms for holding civil servants and public officials accountable, cautioning that failure in these areas leads to negative public perceptions. The President urged leaders to uphold ethical standards in public life, encouraging them to stand out as exemplary figures who leave lasting positive impacts.
Tinubu stressed that public service is a trust that must be exercised with responsibility, integrity, and efficiency. He added that officers must think creatively to solve citizens’ challenges. The awards ceremony, organized by The Best Strategic Media in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, relies on performance indices rather than politics to select honorees.
The President warned that nepotism, cronyism, and patronage undermine service delivery and advocated for independent monitoring and consequences for misconduct. He also commended the NEAPS convener, Ms. Mariam Mohammed, stating that the initiative will push officials to raise standards by ensuring they know they are being monitored by the public. “This award is a validation of your approach, but much more a motivation to continue doing more towards the attainment of a better Nigeria,” he said.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris also addressed the honorees, urging them not to relent in their nation-building efforts. “Do not slow down. Keep contributing to the growth and development of the public service and the society at large,” he remarked. Idris praised TBS Media for their thorough evaluation of performance and pledged continued collaboration, noting that the awards provide a credible scorecard for public officers and an incentive to improve service delivery.
The organizers announced that 44 individuals and organizations were honored in 2025 based on “empirical facts and figures.” Recipients included Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, and Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom. Other honorees were Finance Minister Wale Edun, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, Comptroller-General of Immigration Kemi Nandap, and NFIU CEO Hafsat Bakari.