A cleric, Adegbe Akubo, has called on the federal government to improve the welfare of civil servants.

Mr Akubo, the resident pastor of Family Worship Centre Wuye, made the call during a thanksgiving service organised to mark the 2026 civil service week on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that it was unacceptable for workers who dedicated decades of service to the nation to struggle with basic needs.

The pastor said civil servants played a critical role in national development and deserved better support to enable them to deliver quality service to Nigerians.

“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.

Mr Akubo urged President Bola Tinubu and other authorities to prioritise the welfare of civil servants, adding that improved conditions 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.

The cleric also called for greater cooperation between civil servants and the federal government, adding that the responsibilities of public servants were enormous.

He described the thanksgiving service as a commendable initiative, adding that civil servants had acknowledged God as the source of their strength and achievements.

“We cannot serve without God. All the services they have rendered to our nation are because God has helped them. I appreciate them for acknowledging that God is their helper,” he said.

Mr Akubo, however, urged civil servants to continue improving their efficiency, productivity and innovation, while embracing a citizen-centred approach to service delivery.

“They are doing well, but there is room for improvement. We pray for efficient service, productive service, and innovative service, and that their services will be citizen-centred,” he said.

He encouraged workers to adopt a culture of excellence and respond quickly to official responsibilities, saying improvement remains a continuous process.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Didi Walson-Jack, expressed gratitude to God for the achievements and reforms recorded in the federal civil service over the past year.

Mrs Walson-Jack, who spoke on behalf of the civil service community, said the thanksgiving service was an opportunity to give thanks to God for his guidance, strength and support.

She said the civil service had recorded milestones, overcome challenges and continued to pursue 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.

The HCSF appreciated the Christian community in Nigeria for its prayers and support for the country’s leaders and the public service.

She also commended the leadership and members of Family Worship Centre for their fellowship, prayers, and encouragement, which she said had strengthened civil servants’ commitment to integrity, excellence, accountability, and selfless service.

Mrs Walson-Jack said the future of the civil service was being committed to God, with 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 in God while working to provide Nigerians with the quality service they 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.

(NAN)