CIVIL SERVICE REWARDS AND RECOGNITION POLICY

What Is This Policy?

The Federal Civil Service Rewards and Recognition Policy provides a structured framework for acknowledging, celebrating, and rewarding exceptional performance, innovation, and service delivery by federal civil servants. It is a pillar of the broader Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 to 2025, designed to shift the service from a tenure-based to a performance-based culture.

Who Does It Target?

All federal civil servants across all grades from GL 01 to GL 17, including directors, deputy directors, and permanent secretaries Ministries, departments, and agencies seeking to build internal reward cultures that reinforce service excellence Supervisors and heads of department responsible for identifying and nominating deserving officers for recognition The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) as the central coordinating authority for rewards administration

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Motivate civil servants to sustain high-quality performance by creating visible, meaningful, and timely recognition for exceptional work Reduce absenteeism, disengagement, and public sector apathy by creating a positive, rewarding work environment Attract and retain talented professionals in the public service by making federal employment not only secure but genuinely rewarding Link recognition to measurable performance outcomes rather than seniority or personal relationships, reinforcing accountability and meritocracy

Key Features

Annual Awards Ceremony: The Head of Civil Service hosts an Annual Federal Civil Service Excellence Awards recognising outstanding performance in categories such as innovation, service delivery, leadership, and integrity MDA-Level Recognition: Each Ministry, Department, and Agency is required to establish its own internal rewards programme with monthly or quarterly recognition for top-performing officers Non-Monetary Recognition: Commendation letters, certificates, preferential training nominations, and public citations form the backbone of day-to-day recognition, complementing monetary incentives Monetary Incentives: Performance bonuses and special duty allowances are available for officers who achieve measurable targets or complete critical projects ahead of schedule Fast-Track Promotion: Officers consistently rated Outstanding across two consecutive APER cycles are eligible for accelerated promotion, bypassing the standard year-on-year timeline Cross-MDA Visibility: Recognised officers are profiled in the OHCSF newsletter and the Civil Service digital platforms, creating organisation-wide visibility for excellence

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; Annual Excellence Awards introduced from 2022; MDA internal programmes at varying stages of maturity Implementing Body: Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF); MDA Human Resource Directorates APER Integration: Rewards are tightly linked to the Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) system; only officers with Outstanding or Exceptional ratings are eligible for the top award categories Funding: Rewards budget allocated under each MDA's personnel emoluments appropriation; supplemented by OHCSF central awards fund

How to Access

Officers: Ensure your APER is submitted and rated annually; consult your supervisor about nomination for MDA-level or OHCSF awards; document your achievements throughout the year Supervisors: Nominate deserving officers for recognition using OHCSF's standardised nomination form; submit nominations through your MDA's HR Directorate before annual deadlines MDAs: Establish a formal internal rewards committee and calendar; submit annual MDA recognition programme report to OHCSF Contact: OHCSF: ohcsf.gov.ng | +234 (0)9 523 0396 | Phase 1 Federal Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja

Official Resources

Website: ohcsf.gov.ng Contact: Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Phase 1 Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Garki, Abuja Policy Summary | Source: OHCSF, FCSSIP 2021-2025, Civil Service Transformation Office, SERVICOM Nigeria | February 2026

Legal Framework

The Civil Service Rewards and Recognition Policy operates under the Federal Civil Service Commission Act, the Public Service Rules 2008, and the Civil Service (Reorganisation) Decree 43 of 1988 (as applicable). It aligns with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation's guidelines on performance management, the National Human Resources Management Policy, and the OECD principles on performance-related pay in public administration.