Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Henry Ajumogobia, former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Ernest Ndukwe, and professor of corporate governance, Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), have stressed the need to strengthen corporate governance structures in Nigeria.
They made the call at the inaugural conference and launch of the Centre for Public Sector Governance (CPSG), affiliated with the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN) in Abuja.
Dr Ndukwe, chairman of the CPSG Advisory Board, noted that efficiency in how public institutions are run holds the key to a nation’s prosperity and advancement.
He said the Centre will support government-owned businesses, regulatory bodies and public institutions in general.
“Efficiency in how public institutions are run holds the key to a nation’s prosperity and advancement.
“CPSG aims at equipping target institutions with the tools, knowledge, and frameworks necessary to deliver high-performing public service entities, value creation and regulatory certainty,” Ndukwe said.
Ajogwu, who is Director, Board Advisory of CPSG, said the Centre is dedicated to promoting best practices and enhancing governance within public sector institutions.
“Why the Centre for Public Sector Governance? The answer lies in the critical role that governance plays in shaping the social, economic, and political landscape of Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, especially through the public sector.
“We recognise that strong governance frameworks are the bedrock of a resilient society, that ensures government institutions remain transparent, efficient, and accountable to the people they serve.
“Today, our public institutions face a myriad of challenges. From navigating complex policy landscapes, diverse interests and advancing technological integration to meeting increasing demands for transparency and addressing critical social inequalities—the need for effective governance has never been more urgent,” he declared and pledged to support all institutions in tackling those challenges.
Board Chair of SCGN, Mr Muhammad Ahmad, urged public sector leaders to prioritise the mandates of their institutions and the welfare of citizens above personal or political interests.
He said they must foster a service-oriented culture within institutions, focusing on the needs of the people they serve.
Ahmad, a governance expert, added that effective leadership involves engaging with diverse stakeholders to build consensus and achieve shared goals.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stressed the critical role of public institutions in national development.
He said the Tinubu Administration was committed to building strong institutions for sustainable economic growth and social development.
Akume said the government identified effective policy coordination and performance tracking as critical to successful governance.
He said: “The CPSG represents a significant milestone in our collective pursuit of national progress, and I commend its mission, which includes the creation and implementation of innovative governance models to address the unique challenges faced by our public institutions thereby empowering them to operate more effectively and fulfil their mandates.
“The theme of this conference, ‘Strengthening Leadership and Ethics for Public Sector Institutions’, resonates well with our national priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission and keynote speaker, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, called for a reengineering of the civil service for enhanced bureaucratic efficiency.
This, he said, entails implementing deep-seated systems and structural changes to end outdated administrative practices.
“Getting a new generation of leaders to lead transformation and change will entail looking within, through mind resetting and cognitive redefinition, in a measure that will increase their capacity to stay centred on leading the change sustainably,” he said.
