A cleric, Pastor Adegbe Akubo, has called on the Federal Government to improve the welfare of civil servants, arguing that workers who dedicate decades of service to the nation should not struggle to meet basic needs after years of public duty.
Akubo, the Resident Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Wuye, made the call during a thanksgiving service held on Sunday in Abuja to mark the 2026 Civil Service Week. He said better welfare and working conditions would motivate civil servants to deliver more efficient and quality services to Nigerians.
Speaking during the service, the cleric emphasised that civil servants play a vital role in Nigeria’s development and deserve stronger government support.
“It is not right for somebody to serve the nation for 35 years and not have a house. It is not right that somebody has served the nation and cannot pay their children’s school fees,” he said.
Akubo urged President Bola Tinubu and other government authorities to make the welfare of civil servants a priority, stressing that improved conditions of service would encourage workers to give their best.
“I am urging the Federal Government to make it easier for civil servants to do their work,” he said.
He also called for stronger cooperation between civil servants and the Federal Government, noting that public servants carry enormous responsibilities in delivering government services.
Describing the thanksgiving service as a worthy initiative, Akubo said it reflected the civil service’s recognition of God as the source of its strength and achievements.
“We cannot serve without God. All the service they have rendered to our nation is because God has helped them. I appreciate them for acknowledging that God is their helper,” he said.
The pastor, however, encouraged civil servants to continue improving their efficiency, productivity and innovation while adopting a more citizen-centred approach to service delivery.
“They are doing well, but there is room for improvement. We pray for efficient service, productive service, innovative service and that their services will be citizen-centred,” he said.
He also urged workers to embrace a culture of excellence and respond promptly to official responsibilities, noting that continuous improvement is essential in public service.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, expressed gratitude to God for the achievements and reforms recorded in the Federal Civil Service over the past year.
Speaking on behalf of the civil service community, Walson-Jack said the thanksgiving service provided an opportunity to appreciate God for His guidance, strength and support.
According to her, the Federal Civil Service has recorded significant milestones, overcome several challenges and continued to implement reforms aimed at improving service delivery to Nigerians.
“We acknowledge that every milestone we have recorded, every challenge we have overcome and every success we celebrate has been possible only by His grace. We therefore say in unison, God thank you,” she said.
Walson-Jack also thanked the Christian community in Nigeria for its prayers and support for the nation’s leaders and the public service.
She commended the leadership and members of Family Worship Centre for their fellowship, prayers and encouragement, saying their support had strengthened the commitment of civil servants to integrity, excellence, accountability and selfless service.
The Head of the Civil Service said the future of the Federal Civil Service was being committed to God through prayers for greater wisdom, unity and strength to build a more efficient, innovative and citizen-focused public service. She urged civil servants to continue trusting God while remaining committed to delivering the quality services Nigerians deserve.
“We are thanking God for the milestones we have achieved, for the challenges we have overcome, and we look up to Him to continue to help the civil service deliver its mandate,” she said.
