Acting Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Barr. Murtala Aliyu Kankia has decried the decline in public morality and the pervasive unethical conduct that has infiltrated all levels of the nation’s public sector, saying that such a critical issue stood as a barrier to the country’s progress that needed to be confronted.
Kankia expressed this concern on Friday while speaking at a 2-day National Anti-Corruption Colloquium (TAC’24) organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, which took place at EKO Hotels & Suites, Lagos.
The CCB boss, who noted that Nigeria, with her rich cultural diversity and abundance of resources, had the potential to be a leading nation not just in Africa but in the world, argued that the implications of such conduct were profound and perhaps.
According to him, unethical behaviour in the country’s public sector has eroded trust between the government and its citizens, saying that it undermines the nation’s efforts towards economic growth and development and “deprives our most vulnerable populations of the services and support they desperately need.”
“When public funds are misappropriated or when officials engage in corrupt practices, it is the very fabric of our society that is torn, leaving the nation to grapple with increased poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
“Moreover, as the largest economy in Africa, the actions and behaviours of Nigeria’s public sector are examined under global scrutiny. The repercussions are far-reaching, as investors exhibit reservations about associating with a system perceived as corrupt, leading to missed opportunities. Our international reputation, which plays a crucial role in our influence and capacity to secure favourable trade and diplomatic deals, is at stake.
“Yet, amidst these challenges, we find rays of hope. There are countless Nigerian public servants who perform their duties with exceptional integrity and commitment, often under difficult circumstances. These individuals are the unsung heroes of our public sector, the bulwark against the tide of unethical practices. They model the accountability and transparency that must become the hallmarks of our public institutions,” he said.
On the way to amplify the positive example and transform the nation’s public sector into an exemplar of ethnic conduct and moral rectitude, Kankia suggested a three-prong approach, saying that leadership, policy reform, public enlightenment, and sensitization programmes.
He said effective leadership in public service was essential in setting the tone for sound ethical conduct, adding that leaders must lead by example, demonstrate ethical behaviour, and establish a culture of integrity.
“They need to communicate clear expectations, provide guidance, and hold individuals accountable for their actions. Strong leadership creates a positive work environment where ethical conduct is valued and rewarded,” he said.
Speaking on policy reforms, the CCB boss noted that they were instrumental in promoting ethical conduct within the public service, saying that by implementing comprehensive and robust policies, rules, and regulations, potential ethical issues can be addressed.
This was just as he posited that public enlightenment and sensitization programmes raised awareness among public servants about the importance of ethical conduct and its impact on society.
According to him, these programmes educate public servants about their responsibilities, values, and ethical standards they are expected to uphold.
In his own remarks, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), stressed the need to strengthen whistleblowers because the agency promotes accountability and reduces corruption in society.
Aliyu, while making the call, noted that reporting mechanisms in the public sector were essential for promoting accountability, integrity, and trust in public institutions, urging the National Assembly on the need for the establishment and reinforcement of legal protection in order to encourage whistleblowers in the country.
“Legislations that will comprehensively shield whistleblowers from retaliation while ensuring they have access to justice and reparation are critical.
“Such laws must not only deter potential retaliation but also provide clear, accessible avenues for whistleblowers to report wrongdoing safely and anonymously, if necessary,” he said.
The ICPC boss stressed that by implementing comprehensive legal protections, building supportive institutional cultures, and leveraging technology for secure reporting, corruption would be reduced.
The head of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audu, represented by his deputy, Adebayo Olasupo, said there was a need to encourage the citizenry to speak up against corrupt practices as well as promote cultural and religious norms.
He said that doing this would allow honesty to thrive in society, just as he equally called for transparency in public procurement in the country.
