A developmental process, independent of morphogenetic (shape) change, that is required for the abducens nerve to attain its fully functional state. The motor function of the abducens nerve is to contract the lateral rectus which results in abduction of the eye. [ GOC:dgh GOC:cls GOC:jid http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/go/references/0000021 https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0838580343 GOC:dph ]