The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has honoured its staff at the 2025 Ministerial Rewards and Recognition Award Ceremony, reaffirming its commitment to promoting excellence, integrity, and outstanding service delivery within the Civil Service.

Speaking at occasion in Abuja, its Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated that the initiative aligns with the directive of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to institutionalize a culture of merit-based recognition, productivity, and excellence across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Dangiwa also expressed deep appreciation to the Award Selection Committee for their diligence and transparency in the screening process, noting that their efforts ensured that only truly deserving staff were honoured and awarded.

“This occasion is one of the proud moments for the Ministry. I am particularly pleased with the spread of award categories and the quality of awardees selected from across various departments,” he said.

The Minister further emphasized the importance of mentorship in the service, urging Directors and senior officers to deliberately groom and guide younger officers before exiting the system.

 According to Dangiwa, sustained mentorship is critical to preserving institutional knowledge and strengthening the future of the Civil Service.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, described the awards ceremony as a strategic initiative to motivate staff, encourage healthy competition, and reinforce a culture of excellence and accountability.

Belgore noted that the Ministry’s performance at previous national Civil Service Awards, where some staff emerged winners, has further inspired the drive to achieve greater recognition at the national level.

“Our goal this year is not only to participate but to excel by winning multiple awards, including the overall best in the Civil Service category, which comes with significant incentives such as houses, vehicles, and computers,” he stated.

The Permanent Secretary explained that while many officers are deserving of recognition, the awardees represent the peak of performance, having emerged through a rigorous and merit-driven selection process.

He added that the Ministry has institutionalized a robust recognition system, including monthly staff awards and departmental “Staff of the Month” displays, culminating in the selection of overall best performers.

“Those honoured today have demonstrated consistent excellence and have earned their recognition through hard work and commitment to duty,” he added.

Earlier, the Director of the Special Projects Unit, Mr. Olatunde Ajayi, described the ceremony as a platform to celebrate excellence and inspire others to strive for higher standards of service delivery.

He assured that the selection process adopted by the Ministerial Awards Selection Committee was thorough, transparent, and strictly guided by Federal Public Service policies and guidelines.

According to him, the criteria focused on measurable performance, accountability, commitment to service delivery, and continuous improvement.

The 2025 Ministerial Rewards and Recognition Award Ceremony underscores the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to building a motivated workforce driven by excellence, professionalism, and dedication to national development.