Abuja, Nigeria
— The Federal Government has unveiled a virtual interactive platform aimed at
enhancing awareness, training, and enforcement of the Code of Conduct for
public officers across the country.
The initiative was formally launched on Tuesday in
Abuja by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi
Walson-Jack, who described it as a “timely and critical step” in promoting
integrity and ethical conduct in Nigeria’s public service.
“The launch of this tool could not have come at a
better time. Without ethics, no reform will last. This platform will make the
code digital, accessible, and practical for every public officer,” Walson-Jack
said.
She noted that the tool will serve as a compass for
public servants, providing clear guidance on ethical standards and removing
ignorance as an excuse for misconduct. She stressed that an incorruptible
public service cannot thrive when due process is treated as optional.
Background and Development
The platform was developed by the Technical Unit on Governance and
Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR) in partnership with the Code of Conduct Bureau
(CCB). It builds on a 2018 ethics framework survey and gap analysis conducted
by TUGAR.
Mrs. Jane Onwumere, Director of TUGAR, explained that
the platform was created to ensure that all public servants receive
comprehensive training on the Code of Conduct and can apply it effectively in
their daily work.
“Our aim is to ensure that all public servants undergo
this training to fully understand and operationalise the Code of Conduct in
their daily work,” she said.
According to Onwumere, the tool offers a
cost-effective, accessible, and consistent approach to ethics training
nationwide, with a built-in compliance tracking system.
Features and Benefits
Dr. Abdullahi Bello, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, described the
platform as a major milestone in strengthening ethical standards within the
civil service.
“This virtual tool is a learning platform that
explains each code with clear examples, such as avoiding conflicts of interest
and the importance of asset declaration to promote openness and honesty,” he
stated.
He encouraged all public officers to use the tool as a
daily guide to integrity and accountability in service delivery.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said digitising the Code of Conduct was
both a technological leap and a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to
ethical leadership.
“For decades, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers
has guided good governance, but its impact has been limited by lack of
awareness and accessibility. Making it virtually accessible enhances awareness,
promotes preventive compliance, and serves as a resource for citizens, civil
society, and oversight institutions,” Fagbemi said.
Partnerships and Support
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is supported by
the MacArthur Foundation, the Centre for Democracy and Development, and the
NAKASI Project, all working to strengthen ethics and anti-corruption reforms in
the country’s public sector.
Authorities say the platform is expected to improve
uniform interpretation of the Code of Conduct, prevent violations, and foster a
culture of transparency and accountability across government institutions.
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