The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Monday reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to institutionalize a culture of ethical conduct and measurable performance across all departments and agencies under the Ministry of Justice.
Speaking at the 2025 Reward and Recognition Ceremony held in the Ministry’s Auditorium, Fagbemi highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2025), ministerial deliverables, and the National Policy on Justice. He noted that five Ministerial Award Selection Committee (MASCO) awardees were selected from the ministry’s headquarters and zonal offices, while directorate level awardees came from agencies such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Law School (NIALS), and the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC).
“The ministry and its agencies have demonstrated remarkable resilience, aligning operations with national priorities and embedding a culture of results across the justice value chain,” “I urged legal officers, administrators, researchers, and support staff to recommit to professionalism and collaboration, there can be no development without trust.” He added.
In her remarks, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy Agba, described the recipients as individuals who “exceeded the call of duty and demonstrated both courage and a profound sense of responsibility toward the public trust.” She added that the recognition reinforces a culture of merit and accountability across the justice sector and called on all staff to uphold the rule of law and deliver services that command full public confidence.
Earlier, Director of Human Resources Management, Mabel Erastus, noted that the ceremony reflects the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’s resolve to motivate the workforce for improved service delivery. She explained that the Office of the Head of Civil Service has taken the lead in ensuring civil servants are duly compensated for their contributions, with the FCSSIP 2021 2025 emphasizing the institutionalization of a performance management system to appraise and reward excellence.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Justice will roll out a series of capacity building workshops and integrity assessment tools to embed these values at every level. By strengthening transparency, accountability, and continuous learning, the ministry aims to set a benchmark for ethical governance across Nigeria’s public service.
Amongst the MASCO awardees are Esther Olugboye Temitope, Awaji Vincent Vihilun, Adesipo Adedayo Muyiwa, Lawunmo Halilu, Dalhati A. Aliyu.
Signed
Hauwa Bala
Head, Information and Public Relations
