The Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in Kogi State, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto, has been honoured with the Distinguished Public Service Award for Institutional Performance and Service Delivery by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), in recognition of her contributions to public sector efficiency and programme implementation.
The award, presented during the Nigeria Public Service Lecture Series and Awards held to mark the United Nations Public Service Day, highlights what organisers described as outstanding leadership and measurable impact in public service delivery.
According to the Director-General of the BPSR, D.I. Arabi, Jatto emerged as one of the recipients following a rigorous merit-based selection process involving stakeholder nominations, performance evaluations and independent assessments.
She was selected from a competitive field of heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within her geopolitical zone.
The recognition is the latest national honour for the Kogi ACReSAL coordinator, who was conferred with the national title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reacting to the award, Jatto dedicated the recognition to members of the Kogi ACReSAL team, describing it as a reflection of their collective commitment to improving livelihoods and expanding the reach of development interventions across communities in the state.
“This award belongs to every member of the Kogi ACReSAL team who works tirelessly to ensure our interventions reach the farmers, communities and vulnerable groups we serve,” she said.
She noted that the recognition would serve as further motivation to deepen reforms, strengthen institutional performance and improve service delivery outcomes.
Jatto also acknowledged the support of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, stating that his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability, climate resilience and rural development had created the enabling environment for the project’s achievements.
The ACReSAL project, supported by development partners, is designed to address land degradation, climate change impacts and environmental challenges while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
Observers say the award reflects growing national recognition for sub-national programmes that combine environmental sustainability with community-focused development and public sector innovation.