FG Raises Concern Over Weak Governance In Agencies

The Federal Government has raised concern over weak governance practices, poor accountability systems and recurring conflicts between boards and management in federal agencies, warning that the problems continue to affect public confidence and service delivery across key institutions. The concern was raised in Abuja during an induction training programme for chief executive officers, chairmen and […]

The Federal Government has raised concern over weak governance practices, poor accountability systems and recurring conflicts between boards and management in federal agencies, warning that the problems continue to affect public confidence and service delivery across key institutions.

The concern was raised in Abuja during an induction training programme for chief executive officers, chairmen and board members of federal parastatals, agencies and commissions organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of BPSR, Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, said increasing public demand for accountability and effective service delivery had made it necessary for political appointees and agency officials to understand governance procedures and institutional responsibilities.

“The responsibilities before you are enormous, as it is the public trust placed under your leadership. Citizen’s quest on governance and service delivery is on the rise, making it imperative for public officers to acquaint themselves with the rudiments of governance,” he said.

Arabi said the induction programme was aimed at exposing participants to governance structures, public financial management, procurement regulations, ethical conduct and performance monitoring mechanisms needed to improve institutional effectiveness.

He added that the training would also address tensions that often arise between governing boards and agency management.

“This induction offers a unique opportunity to reflect on your constitutional and statutory responsibilities, to clarify the boundaries between board and management, and to align your leadership with the principles of transparency, integrity and results orientation,” he added.

Also speaking, the Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Nigeria, Moritz Sprenker, said corruption and weak transparency structures remained major obstacles to effective governance and institutional credibility.

“Corruption is authority plus monopoly minus transparency,” he said.

Sprenker said corruption had become deeply entrenched in many everyday interactions and warned that patronage systems and informal influence often weaken institutions and distort decision-making processes.

He added that unresolved conflicts between boards and management, poor accountability culture and weak compliance mechanisms continue to undermine institutional performance in many public institutions.

“What really matters is how they are applied in practice, whether conflicts are avoided or constructively addressed, whether accountability is seen as a burden or simply as part of a professional responsibility,” he noted.

The Executive Director of the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Umar Yakubu, said public institutions must strengthen transparency and compliance systems to reduce corruption risks and improve public trust.

Yakubu said accountability tools and procurement monitoring frameworks were necessary to help public institutions improve transparency and institutional integrity.