The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has honoured three federal civil servants for their contributions to public service as part of activities marking the 2026 Civil Service Week in Abuja.
The recipients are Abumoye Emmanuel, a Senior Education Officer at the Federal Ministry of Education; Anthony Ogwo, an Assistant Chief Education Officer in the ministry; and Ochoche Peter, an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Regional Development.
Mr Abumoye received the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award, while Mr Ogwo and Mr Ochoche received the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-Centred (EPIC) Award.
Recognising public service
The awards are part of the Emily Aig-Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund, established in 2022 in memory of the late Pastor Emily Aig-Imoukhuede.
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The foundation recognises civil servants whose work demonstrates professionalism, integrity and commitment to improving public service delivery.
The Presidential Civil Service Merit Award, which carries a N500,000 prize, is for civil servants with at least five years of service who have made notable contributions to their institutions and the wider public sector.
The EPIC Award, valued at N250,000, recognises officers who demonstrate efficiency, productivity, integrity and a citizen-centred approach to their work.
Robotics, girls’ education
Mr Abumoye was recognised for his work in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education and his efforts to encourage more girls to participate in technology.
A Senior Education Officer and robotics coach at Queen’s College, Lagos, he has led the school’s robotics team to several international competitions.
The team represented Nigeria at the FIRST LEGO League Competition in Australia in 2023 and emerged African champions at the Rwanda Submerged Robotics Competition in 2025.
It also qualified for global competitions in Houston and Canada in 2026.
Beyond competitions, Mr Abumoye has worked on projects including the AuroDam Hydro Electric Power Project and a sweeping robot prototype, Aurocleaner.
His work has also involved supporting remote learning, improving school infrastructure and mentoring girls interested in science and technology.
Digital reforms at Education Ministry
Mr Ogwo, an alumnus of the Aig-Imoukhuede Public Leaders Programme Cohort 5, was recognised for his work on administrative reforms and digital transformation at the Federal Ministry of Education.
He has contributed to the automation of ministry processes, the development of policy and service documents and the establishment of the ministry’s call centre.
As part of his participation in the Public Leaders Programme, he developed a proposal for a digital Requisition and General Services Management Portal.
The proposed platform would integrate General Services, Procurement and SERVICOM functions, allowing requests to be tracked in real time and reducing delays in administrative processes.
Two decades of public sector reforms
Mr Ochoche, an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Regional Development, has more than 18 years’ experience in the federal civil service.
He has worked in performance management, public sector reform and results-based governance and contributed to the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2020.
He was also involved in the development and rollout of FCSSIP 2025, which is aimed at improving performance and accountability across the federal civil service.
His work has included supporting reform monitoring, capacity building and the development of performance systems across ministries, departments and agencies.
N60 million awarded since 2022
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Chioma Njoku, Director of Programmes at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, said recognising high-performing civil servants could help strengthen public institutions.
Ms Njoku said the foundation would continue to support initiatives that promote professionalism and encourage improvements in public service.
“Public servants play a vital role in shaping the quality of governance and improving outcomes for citizens,” she said.
Since its establishment, the Emily Aig-Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund has awarded more than N60 million to civil servants across over 50 ministries, departments and agencies, according to the foundation.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation was founded by Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede and focuses on public sector leadership development, institutional reform and improving public service delivery.
About civil service week
Civil Service Week is observed annually to recognise the contribution of public servants to national development and promote professionalism and improved service delivery.
The 2026 edition, held from 22 to 28 June, focused on mentorship, digital transformation and excellence in public service, according to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).