Lagos honours 506 LG workers for long service

The Lagos State Government has honoured 506 officers of the Unified Local Government Service for their dedication and years of service at the 2026 Long Service Merit Award ceremony.

The award ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, recognised public servants who have contributed decades of service to the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Kadri Hamzat, commended the awardees for their dedication, perseverance and professionalism, describing their service as an important part of Lagos State’s institutional history.

Sanwo-Olu assured public servants that his administration and successive governments would continue to support workforce development and effective service delivery.

“Thirty years, 31 years, and even more is a career spent showing up through changes in leadership, changes in technology, and changes in the very shape of the communities that you serve. So, let me tell you this: Lagos sees you. Lagos appreciates you,” he said.

The governor said the Unified Local Government Service remained crucial to grassroots governance, noting that residents interact directly with government through the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

He called for deliberate efforts to transfer the experience of senior officers to younger workers through mentorship, training and knowledge-sharing programmes.

Sanwo-Olu also said the government would continue investing in workforce development, including training initiatives and a planned e-library, to equip public servants with the skills needed to meet growing demands for faster, transparent and digitally driven public services.

The Head of Service, Bode Agoro, commended the state government for sustaining the long-service recognition programme, describing it as evidence of its commitment to rewarding dedicated public servants.

Agoro urged younger officers to embrace continuous learning and professional development to keep pace with technological and socioeconomic changes.

He also advised public servants to prioritise their health and make regular use of the state’s Ilera Eko health insurance scheme.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Toyin Ogunlana, described the ceremony as an opportunity to celebrate officers who had served Lagos with diligence, resilience and professionalism for more than three decades.

She said the awardees had remained committed despite reforms and changes in the public service, while also mentoring younger officers and contributing to the stability and effectiveness of the Unified Local Government Service.

Ogunlana said integrity, accountability, diligence and excellence remained essential values that should continue to guide public servants.