As Nigeria celebrates the 2025 Customer Service Week, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has restated the Commission’s commitment to empathy, responsiveness, accountability, and excellence in public service delivery.
Speaking at the official opening of the Customer Service Week in Abuja on Monday, Yakubu said the annual event, celebrated in the first week of October, offers an opportunity to appreciate frontline staff and recommit to improving citizens’ experience in public service.
He described the 2025 theme, “Mission Possible,” as timely and deeply resonating with INEC’s vision of continuous innovation, stakeholder trust, and excellence in electoral service delivery.
“Customer Service Week reminds us that every complaint and every inquiry responded to, every concern addressed, and every moment of engagement reinforces the Commission’s commitment to serving the public interest as enshrined in the laws of our country, particularly the Freedom of Information Act, and articulated in our Integrated Service Charter.
“As we continue to introduce innovations and constantly review the Commission’s processes and procedures, I encourage us not to use this week for mere celebration, but to recommit ourselves to the core values of the Commission. We must rededicate ourselves to service delivery, generally speaking through empathy, responsiveness, accountability, and excellence,” Yakubu said.
He urged the Commission’s staff not to treat the week as a ceremonial exercise but as a moment of reflection and recommitment.
“We should continue to demonstrate our commitment to these goals by action and not mere sloganeering, for at the same words, action speaks louder than words. I am also one of those who believe that walk is actually prayer and action, so we should pray but keep walking. With these very few remarks,” he added.
The INEC Chairman also commended the Commission’s SERVICOM Desk for its efforts in promoting customer-oriented reforms and improving citizens’ access to timely and quality service.
Yakubu and several distinguished officials of the Commission were honoured with awards in recognition of their exceptional performance and unwavering dedication to advancing INEC’s mission of transparency and service excellence.
On his part, the Acting National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM, Mr. Anthony Oshin, lauded INEC’s commitment to institutional reform and service delivery to citizens.
Represented by Mrs. Ngozi Akinbodewa, he described INEC’s approach as a model for other public institutions, noting that its data-driven processes, technology adoption, and real-time accountability dashboards are examples of how public agencies can combine efficiency with transparency.
“This year’s theme, ‘Mission Possible,’ reminds us that even the toughest challenges in governance and elections can be turned into opportunities through teamwork, creativity, and resilience,” Oshin said.
He added that INEC’s commitment to proactive service delivery and its use of technology in stakeholder engagement demonstrate the Commission’s leadership in driving service excellence across the public sector.
According to him, the 2025 Customer Service Week, celebrated under the colors symbolizing calmness, honesty, and passion, reinforces the resolve to strengthen citizens’ confidence, improve transparency, and deliver seamless service across all platforms.
