By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

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 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.

"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 said.

The President 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.

He said that the awards ceremony, organised by The Best Strategic Media in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, relies on performance indices, not politics, to select honourees.

He warned that nepotism, cronyism and patronage undermine service delivery and backed independent monitoring and consequences for misconduct.

Tinubu also commended the NEAPS convener, Ms Mariam Mohammed, saying the initiative will push officials to raise standards because they know they are being monitored by the people.

"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 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,” he said.

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.

The organisers said 44 individuals and organisations were honoured 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.

Others were Finance Minister Wale Edun, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, Comptroller-General of Immigration Kemi Nandap and NFIU CEO Hafsat Bakari.

Additional honourees included NEMA DG Zubaida Umar, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, Minister of State for Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, NDLEA Chairman retired Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa and Information Minister Mohammed Idris. (NAN)

Update news