As Nigeria marked the 2025 edition of Workers’ Day, legal and financial expert Dr. Gbenga Adeoye delivered a clarion call to civil servants across the country, describing them as the engine room of national development and urging both public servants and political leaders to uphold a culture of service, accountability, and respect.
Speaking in a message commemorating Workers’ Day, Dr. Adeoye stressed that no nation can thrive without a vibrant, ethical, and effective civil service.
He emphasized that the fate of Nigeria’s progress rests heavily on the conduct and efficiency of its public workforce.
“If civil servants work well, there will be national development; if they don’t, nations will fail,” Adeoye said. “They are the machinery that drives government policies, public services, and economic stability.”
Addressing Nigerian workers directly, Adeoye urged public servants to shift their attitudes from apathy and bureaucracy to one of patriotic service.
He implored them to treat every citizen and organization whose file appears on their desk as their employer and reason for their job.
He criticized the all-too-common perception of public service as a favour bestowed on citizens, rather than a right, and listed several government bodies where reform in public interaction is urgently needed.
These included regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC, SON, EFCC, FIRS, Nigerian Customs, and the CBN, among many others across federal, state, and local levels.
“There is a prevailing problem where people who need government services are treated like beggars,” Adeoye noted. “This must stop. Service must come with joy, diligence, and respect for the citizen.”
He recommended practical steps for improving service delivery, including: Timely handling of files and approvals, Prompt resumption at work,
Avoiding unnecessary delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks, maintaining clean and orderly workspaces,upholding fiscal discipline and integrity in managing government resources.
In a direct message to civil servants, he added: “Do not make life difficult for investors. Every investor we lose affects job creation and national wealth.”
He also admonished workers not to collude with politicians in corrupt practices, advising instead to safeguard public funds and uphold professionalism in all dealings.
Turning his focus to the political class, Adeoye urged both elected and appointed officials to treat civil servants with dignity, fairness, and due consideration.
He highlighted the importance of providing civil servants with decent working conditions, fair remuneration, and opportunities for professional development.
“Don’t just deploy unqualified persons to departments they know nothing about,” he warned. “We must place round pegs in round holes to achieve effectiveness.”
Other recommendations included prompt payment of gratuities upon retirement, proper staffing to reduce workload stress, and regular skill updates for public servants.
In his concluding remarks, Adeoye reiterated the indispensable role of civil servants in national progress.
“There is no country without a vibrant and reliable civil service. They drive policies, implement programmes, and ensure continuity in governance.”
He called for a renewed sense of purpose and national pride among all public workers, urging them to reject the label of “evil servants” through honest and impactful service.
Dr. Gbenga Adeoye is a legal practitioner and chartered accountant who has consistently advocated for public sector reform and accountability in governance.
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