CIoD Declares Governance Crisis in Nigeria’s Public Sector, Urges Urgent Reforms

By Benson Daniel

The Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria has called for urgent reforms to address what it describes as a deepening governance crisis in the country’s public sector, warning that weak institutional accountability, poor leadership practices and ineffective policy implementation continue to hinder national development.

The institute made the call during a governance forum, where industry leaders, policymakers and governance experts examined the challenges affecting public institutions and the need to strengthen transparency, accountability and ethical leadership across all levels of government.

CIoD President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, said Nigeria requires a fundamental shift in the way public institutions are managed, stressing that strong corporate governance principles must become the foundation of public administration. He noted that while governance reforms have been introduced over the years, implementation gaps and weak institutional capacity have limited their impact.

According to the institute, improving governance standards is essential for restoring public confidence, enhancing service delivery and creating an environment that supports sustainable economic growth and investment. It added that effective leadership, merit-based appointments and strict adherence to governance frameworks are critical to improving the performance of government institutions.

The institute also urged public office holders to embrace greater transparency in decision making and financial management, arguing that stronger oversight mechanisms would help reduce inefficiencies, curb corruption and ensure that public resources are utilised more effectively.

Stakeholders at the forum stressed that strengthening governance would not only improve public sector performance but also boost investor confidence, enhance policy consistency and accelerate socio-economic development. They called for closer collaboration between government, the private sector and professional institutions in promoting global best practices in leadership and institutional management.

CIoD further advocated continuous training and capacity building for public sector leaders, noting that effective governance depends on competent leadership, ethical conduct and a culture of accountability throughout government institutions.

The institute reaffirmed its commitment to supporting governance reforms through advocacy, professional development and policy engagement, expressing confidence that stronger institutions and improved leadership would position Nigeria for inclusive growth and long-term national development.