By Mercy Peter
The Aig Imoukhuede Foundation has honoured outstanding Nigerian civil servants for their contributions to public service delivery, innovation and institutional reforms as part of activities marking the 2026 Civil Service Week in Abuja.
The recognition was presented under the Emily Aig Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund, which marked its fifth anniversary this year, celebrating public servants whose work reflects integrity, professionalism, accountability and a commitment to improving government services.
Among the award recipients were Anthony Okechukwu Ogwo, an Assistant Chief Education Officer with the Federal Ministry of Education; Ochoche Emmanuel Peter, an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Regional Development; and Abumoye Ayo Emmanuel, a Senior Education Officer and Robotics Coach at Queen’s College, Lagos.
The 2026 awards were presented under two categories: the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation EPIC Award.
The awards recognise civil servants whose contributions demonstrate professional excellence, ethical leadership, innovation, accountability and a commitment to citizen-centred governance.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Programmes at the Aig Imoukhuede Foundation, Chioma Njoku, said recognising excellence among public servants was essential to strengthening public institutions and improving governance outcomes.
Njoku noted that civil servants played a critical role in determining the quality of governance through their responsibilities in implementing policies and delivering services that directly affect citizens.
She explained that the Emily Aig Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund was established to celebrate individuals whose dedication to excellence, integrity and service could inspire other public servants and promote a culture of professionalism across government institutions.
Established in 2022 in memory of the late Pastor Emily Aig Imoukhuede, the Endowment Fund has, according to the Foundation, awarded more than ₦60 million to civil servants across over 50 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) since its inception.
The Foundation said the initiative formed part of its broader efforts to promote excellence, encourage innovation and strengthen the capacity of public institutions to deliver improved outcomes for Nigerians.
One of the recipients of the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award, Abumoye Ayo Emmanuel, was recognised for his contributions to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education, robotics and girl-child empowerment.
A Senior Education Officer and Robotics Coach at Queen’s College, Lagos, Abumoye has distinguished himself through technology-driven educational initiatives despite his academic background in English and Literary Studies.
Under his leadership, the Queen’s College Robotics Team has represented Nigeria at international competitions, including the FIRST LEGO League Competition in Australia in 2023.
The team also emerged as African champions at the Rwanda Submerged Robotics Competition in 2025 and qualified for global competitions in Houston, United States, and Canada in 2026.
Beyond international competitions, Abumoye has led several innovation projects aimed at demonstrating the practical application of science and technology to everyday challenges.
Among the projects is the AuroDam Hydro Electric Power Project, which received recognition from the Nigerian Academy of Engineering.
He also led the development of Aurocleaner, a functional sweeping robot prototype that attracted industry recognition and was exhibited at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Foundation further highlighted his contribution to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure improvements and mentorship programmes aimed at encouraging more girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.
His recognition underscores the role of public school educators in expanding access to practical technology education and creating opportunities for young people to develop problem-solving and innovation skills.
Another recipient, Anthony Okechukwu Ogwo, received the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation EPIC Award for his contributions to digital transformation, institutional reforms and service delivery at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Ogwo, an Assistant Chief Education Officer and alumnus of the Aig Imoukhuede Public Leaders Programme (PLP), Cohort 5, works in the Ministry’s Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement Department.
His contributions include the automation of service processes, the development of policy and service documents, and the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Education Call Centre.
These initiatives are intended to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen communication and make government services more responsive to the needs of citizens.
As part of his participation in the Public Leaders Programme, Ogwo developed a capstone project proposing a digital Requisition and General Services Management Portal.
The proposed platform would integrate the functions of General Services, Procurement and SERVICOM, enabling real-time tracking of requests, improving accountability, reducing administrative delays and supporting faster decision-making.
According to the Foundation, Ogwo’s work demonstrates how public servants can deploy technology and institutional reforms to address operational challenges and improve the quality of government services.
His recognition also highlights the importance of digital systems in strengthening transparency, monitoring administrative processes and improving coordination across government departments.
Ochoche Emmanuel Peter, an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Regional Development, was also recognised under the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation EPIC Award category for his contributions to public sector reform and results-based governance.
With more than 18 years of experience in the Federal Civil Service, Ogoche has worked in performance management, institutional reform and the development of systems designed to improve government effectiveness.
He has contributed to the development and implementation of federal civil service reform frameworks, including work with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2020 Secretariat and the development and rollout of FCSSIP 2025.
The Foundation said his work had also involved collaboration with senior government officials and development partners to strengthen accountability mechanisms, reform monitoring and digital governance within the public service.
His recognition reflects his contribution to efforts aimed at improving institutional performance, strengthening implementation of government reforms and promoting a results-oriented approach to public administration.
The Foundation noted that sustained public sector transformation required not only policy development but also effective implementation, monitoring and accountability across government institutions.
The Aig Imoukhuede Foundation said the Emily Aig Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund remained an important part of its broader efforts to develop high-performing public sector leaders and institutions capable of delivering better outcomes for citizens.
Founded by Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, the Foundation focuses on strengthening public service leadership and supporting institutional reforms through financing, strategic advisory services and capacity-building programmes.
Through the Endowment Fund and other initiatives, the Foundation seeks to encourage public servants to embrace professionalism, integrity, innovation and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Foundation said it would continue supporting programmes that recognise outstanding service, promote effective leadership and contribute to the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s public service.
