The grandeur of the 7th Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX), held on October 31st, 2025, at the prestigious Nigerian Air Force Banquet Hall in Abuja, may have concluded, but the resonance of its powerful message on leadership excellence continues to echo across the nation. The event, which lived up to and surpassed its considerable hype, was a constellation of Nigeria’s most influential figures from politics, business, and public service, all united under the endorsements of the African Union and the African Film Institute, and the event packaged by Igbere TV, Africa’s Premier Online Media Television.
Amidst a gathering that included titans like Tony Elumelu, political heavyweights like Peter Obi, Governors Alex Otti and Mohammed Bago, and distinguished senators, one award category powerfully embodied the evening’s core mission: the Civil Servant of the Year.
This prestigious honour was rightfully bestowed upon Ambassador Abdulkadir Mohammed Alhaji Babakatun, a distinguished technocrat from the Nigeria Customs Service, who has become a national exemplar of integrity, innovation, and compassion in public service. A proud son of Bida Local Government Area, Ambassador Babakatun’s life work reflects a profound devotion to Nigeria’s security and the empowerment of its people. His recognition served as a powerful testament to the idea that the most impactful leadership is often found in the steadfast dedication of public servants who operate with transparency and a human-centered approach. His achievements, which include being honoured as a Universal Peace Ambassador and receiving the Niger State Service Award, were celebrated as a blueprint for a new generation of civil servants.
His recognition at the LEEX Awards, where winners emerged through a transparent nationwide poll monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria, underscores the public’s appreciation for civil servants who combine technical competence with tangible community impact. In an era where public trust in institutions faces challenges, Ambassador Babakatun stands as living proof that integrity, innovation, and compassion can coexist in government service.
The keynote address by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, perfectly framed Ambassador Babakatun’s achievement. Amaechi, who delivered a stirring speech titled “Leadership Excellence in a Changing Nigeria,” asserted that the true currency of leadership is human wellbeing, a principle vividly brought to life by the Civil Servant of the Year winner. Amaechi’s declaration that “Infrastructure without human impact is architecture, not leadership” found its real-world counterpart in Babakatun’s work. Through his role as Chairman of the Hashmat Foundation, he has institutionalized compassion, delivering educational scholarships, organizing free medical outreaches for thousands, and launching youth empowerment programs focused on vocational skills.
Furthermore, Ambassador Babakatun represents the seamless integration of technology and service delivery that is crucial for modern governance. With a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science and certification as a Server Security Expert, his proficiency in technology management and data security ensures that his humanitarian and administrative projects are both operationally sound and future-ready. This blend of technical expertise and empathetic governance made him a fitting recipient for an award celebrated at an event co-keynoted by Ure Okezie, MD/CEO of Olive Microfinance Bank, highlighting the synergy between public service and private sector innovation. The 7th LEEX Awards did not merely celebrate fame; it celebrated substantive, life-changing contributions to national development, with Ambassador Abdulkadir Mohammed Alhaji Babakatun standing as a brilliant beacon of what is possible when a civil servant leads with both integrity and a heart for the people.
