The Lagos State Government has recognised 506 officers of the Unified Local Government Service for dedicating more than three decades to public service.
The officers, made up of 492 senior and 14 junior staff, received the Long Service Merit Award at a ceremony held on Tuesday at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium in Alausa.
The 2026 award was organised by the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training to celebrate officers whose careers have been marked by long-term commitment to serving residents across the state.
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat said the recognition was not simply about the number of years the officers had spent in government but the impact of their service.
He noted that many of the awardees had remained in public service despite changes in government administrations, technology and the communities they served.
“We should be proud and happy that God has placed you in positions where you have added value. Some of you have served for more than 30 years. It is a career of service, showing up through changes in leadership, technological changes, and changes in the demographic shape of the communities that we serve. Through all of this, you stayed, you moved around, and you served the people,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor assured the officers that their contributions would continue to be recognised by the government and the communities they had served.
“This government will stand by you, and the community will stand by you,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu also encouraged younger civil servants to draw lessons from the careers of the award recipients, particularly their discipline, consistency and integrity.
“For the young ones just starting out, I think we should look closely at the people sitting here today. Their careers offer something no classroom can teach: the value of consistency, discipline, and integrity,” he said.
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He urged public servants to uphold these principles while working towards a government system that is “faster, more transparent, more decentralised, and more responsive” to residents.
The Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, said the state would continue to recognise workers who dedicate significant portions of their lives to public service.
He described the awards as an incentive for other employees to maintain high standards, while reminding the recipients that the recognition should encourage them to remain committed to their responsibilities.
The Permanent Secretary of the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Toyin Ogunlana, said the award was established to honour workers whose careers demonstrated loyalty and dedication.
“This initiative celebrates the values that sustain an effective and responsive public service, including integrity, diligence, accountability and excellence,” she said.
Some of the awardees also reflected on their experiences in public service.
Mosunmola Otaiku, Council Manager of Kosofe Local Government, described her years in the service as a “pleasant experience” and encouraged younger workers to remain committed to their responsibilities.
“I have tried my best,” she said.
Joseph Oladeji, Council Manager of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, urged younger officers to make punctuality and discipline central to their careers.
“The government is always there to give incentives to workers as at when due. Others coming behind should be dedicated to their work,” he said.