LAPO rewards 657 long-serving workers with N215.9m and meritorious awards

The Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) celebrated the dedication and loyalty of its workforce at the 2025 Annual Staff Long Service and Meritorious Award Ceremony held in Benin City, Edo State. No fewer than 657 employees across the LAPO ecosystem were recognised for their exemplary service, spanning 10 to 25 years, while an additional 47 staff received performance-driven Best Staff Awards, complete with automatic promotions.

The Board Chairman, Godwin Ehigiamusoe, in his remark, emphasised the pivotal role the honourees have played in driving the organisation’s success.

“Today, we gather to recognise and celebrate the dedication, resilience, and exceptional contributions of our esteemed colleagues,” he said. “This year, a total of 657 staff who have completed 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of continuous service across the LAPO ecosystem shall be honoured. Their unwavering commitment and loyalty to the organisation have been instrumental in our collective success.”

The 657 long-serving staff were collectively awarded the sum of N215.9 million as a reward for their years of service. This financial recognition underscores LAPO’s appreciation for the employees who have remained steadfast in their roles, contributing to the firm’s mission of empowering lives and fostering financial inclusion across Nigeria. LAPO, known for its microfinance and social impact initiatives, has grown into a formidable ecosystem over the years, largely due to the efforts of its workforce.

LAPO rewards 47 best-performing staff

In addition to the long service awards, 47 employees were singled out for their outstanding performance. These individuals received the Best Staff Awards, a category designed to honour those who have demonstrated exceptional hard work and a commitment to excellence. Ehigiamusoe noted that these awards came with automatic promotions, further incentivising excellence within the organisation.

“At LAPO, we firmly believe that our people are our greatest asset,” he stated. “Our success over the years has been built on the strong foundation of dedicated and value-driven employees who have embodied the core principles of integrity, innovation, excellence, customer-centricity, and social impact.”

The ceremony was a moment of pride not only for the recipients but also for the organisation as a whole. LAPO’s decision to honour its staff in such a public and generous manner aligns with its ethos of uplifting individuals, both within its workforce and in the communities it serves.

The organisation’s ecosystem includes microfinance banks, health initiatives, and other poverty-alleviation programmes, all of which rely heavily on the dedication of its employees. The recognition of 657 workers for their long service, some of whom have spent a quarter of a century with LAPO, speaks to the stability and loyalty fostered within the organisation.

Ehigiamusoe’s address also shed light on the broader impact of the awardees’ contributions. He described their work as foundational to LAPO’s achievements, noting that their commitment to the organisation’s values has enabled it to thrive in a competitive and ever-evolving sector.

“The honourees today represent the heart of LAPO,” he said. “Their resilience and commitment have not only sustained us but have propelled us forward, allowing us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of Nigerians.”

The inclusion of performance-driven awards alongside long-service recognition highlights LAPO’s dual focus on loyalty and excellence. The 47 recipients of the Best Staff Awards, now promoted to higher roles, serve as an inspiration to their colleagues, demonstrating that hard work and dedication are rewarded tangibly within the organisation. This approach reinforces a culture of meritocracy, ensuring that LAPO remains a dynamic and forward-thinking entity.

The financial reward of N215.9 million, distributed among the 657 long-serving staff, was a significant gesture, reflecting LAPO’s financial health and its willingness to invest in its people. For the recipients, the awards were more than just a monetary or professional boost; they were a public acknowledgement of their sacrifices, perseverance, and contributions to an organisation that has become a hallmark of social and economic empowerment in Nigeria.