The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has stepped up its institutional reform efforts with a three-day capacity-building programme focused on ethics, integrity and professional conduct for officers across the six South-South states.

The training, being conducted in two phases, covers personnel from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta and Rivers states. The first phase was held from August 4 to 6, 2026, while the second phase is scheduled for August 11 to 13.

The initiative, organised under the leadership of the Chief Commissioner of the PCC, Hon. Bashir Abubakar (MFR), is designed to strengthen ethical standards, professionalism and institutional integrity among officers charged with promoting administrative justice and protecting citizens’ rights.

Facilitated by Instinct Resources Services Ltd, the programme features experts in public administration and governance who are leading sessions on ethical leadership, accountability, transparency, conflict-of-interest management, professional conduct and international best practices in Ombudsman administration.

Speaking at the opening ceremonies, Honourable Commissioners in the participating states commended Abubakar for prioritising human-capital development, describing the programme as a significant investment in the Commission’s institutional capacity.

They stressed that an ethical and professionally competent workforce was critical to restoring public confidence in government institutions and improving service delivery.

The Commissioners urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen their commitment to integrity, fairness and accountability, noting that the credibility of the PCC largely depends on the conduct and professionalism of its officers.

The Lead Consultant, Associate Professor Agbegbedia Anthony Oghenevwoke, PhD, also commended the Chief Commissioner for making continuous professional development a key component of the Commission’s transformation agenda.

Oghenevwoke said the initiative reflected the PCC’s commitment to building an ethical, professional and responsive Ombudsman institution, adding that ethics and integrity remained indispensable to effective public administration.

He urged complaint-handling officers to uphold impartiality, accountability and transparency in the discharge of their duties.

Another consultant, Dr. Adegboyega Adedolapo OLA, described the training as a strategic intervention to strengthen Nigeria’s Ombudsman institution.

According to him, the programme is aligned with international best practices and will equip officers with contemporary skills needed to deliver citizen-centred, transparent and efficient complaint-resolution services.

He said public trust was central to the legitimacy of an Ombudsman institution, making ethical conduct and professionalism essential to institutional credibility and the advancement of administrative justice.

Participants are being exposed to practical sessions on ethical decision-making, anti-corruption principles, workplace discipline, complaint-management procedures, accountability mechanisms and value-based public service delivery.

The workshop also incorporates case studies, scenario-based exercises, interactive discussions and experience-sharing sessions aimed at translating ethical principles into everyday administrative practice.

The South-South training marks another step in the PCC’s broader nationwide reform programme aimed at repositioning the Commission as a modern, efficient and citizen-focused Ombudsman institution.

The initiative is expected to strengthen institutional capacity, improve operational efficiency and reinforce the Commission’s mandate to promote administrative justice, protect citizens’ rights and advance accountability in public administration across Nigeria.