Olaitan Olawale, a Lagos business analyst and University of Ilorin alumnus with a Master’s in Public Administration and a degree in Statistics, is advocating for enhanced ethical governance and compliance programs in Nigeria’s public administration. As the country struggles with corruption and mismanagement, Olaitan emphasizes the urgent need for reform to restore public trust and boost national development.
“Nigeria has suffered from widespread corruption and a lack of accountability for far too long,” Olaitan, a graduate student with Wichita State University said. “To truly move forward, we need to build an ethical public administration that prioritizes integrity, transparency, and accountability.”
Olaitan believes that the solution lies in fostering a culture of ethics within public institutions. “Ethical governance is the backbone of any government’s effective functioning. It’s not just about following laws and regulations; it’s about ensuring public officials serve in the best interest of the citizens,” he added.
He emphasized that clear compliance programs are vital to ensuring public officials act ethically. “In Nigeria, where corruption has been deeply rooted, a strong and long-term compliance system is key. There should be straightforward guidelines and procedures for ethical conduct, with effective systems in place to report and monitor misconduct.”
Public institutions, according to Olaitan, need both internal and external oversight to maintain their integrity. “We often don’t know why public officials make certain decisions, but external watchdog entities are crucial in ensuring these decisions align with public interest,” he noted.
Olaitan also highlighted the potential of technology to improve Nigeria’s public administration. “E-governance can reduce corruption by minimizing face-to-face interactions between public officials and citizens. When services are delivered through online platforms, there’s more transparency, and corruption is less likely to thrive.”
Global partnerships were also cited as a key factor in Nigeria’s reform. “By partnering with international organizations, Nigeria can learn from global best practices and gain valuable insights from other countries that have faced similar challenges,” he said.
Olaitan urged the Nigerian government to take meaningful steps toward ethical reform. “It’s not enough to have compliance programs in place. Integrity must be the foundation of Nigeria’s public administration. Without it, any efforts at reform will be superficial. We need all stakeholders—civil society, the private sector, and the citizens—to work together for true transparency and accountability.”
