SSDC Workshop Deepens Institutional Governance, Accountability and Regulatory Compliance

 

By Asuquo Edem 

The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening institutional governance, accountability, ethical leadership and regulatory compliance as critical pillars for the effective delivery of its development mandate across the South-South region.

This was the focus of a two-day Workshop on Institutional Governance and Regulatory Compliance for the Board and Management of the Commission, which brought together senior officials and distinguished leaders from key public-sector governance, regulatory, anti-corruption, procurement and financial management institutions.

The engagement provided the leadership of the Commission with an opportunity to deepen its understanding of statutory responsibilities, administrative procedures, public-sector reforms, ethical conduct, procurement processes and sound financial management.

The first day of the workshop focused largely on institutional governance, leadership, statutory responsibilities, ethics and public-sector reforms.

In her welcome remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the SSDC, Ms Usoro Akpabio, FRSC, FCE, reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to build a strong, accountable and results-driven institution capable of delivering sustainable development across the South-South region.

She stressed the importance of putting in place strong systems, effective leadership and sound institutional structures that would enable the Commission to effectively fulfil its mandate and respond to the development needs of the region.

The opening session featured goodwill messages from the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, represented by Mrs Helen Anyakwo, Director, Army, Ministry of Defence, as well as the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Chief Saviour Enyinekere, Ph.D, FCIEN, FINES.

The keynote address and formal opening of the workshop were delivered on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, His Excellency, Senator Dr George Akume, CON, fnim, by his representative, Mr Olusegun A. Adekunle, Esq.

The workshop was convened by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, who also facilitated a session on “Scaling Reforms and Change Management — Leadership as a Catalyst for Accelerated Results.”

The session examined the role of leadership in driving institutional transformation and ensuring that reforms translate into measurable improvements in public-sector performance.

Another major session focused on the legal and statutory framework guiding the operations of the SSDC. The Solicitor-General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, was represented by Dr Patrick Eyong, Director, Legal Drafting, who provided insights into the Act establishing the South-South Development Commission and the responsibilities arising from its statutory mandate.

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr Abdullahi Usman Bello, also led a session on “Code of Conduct and Ethics in the Public Service.”

The session underscored the importance of integrity, ethical leadership, transparency and compliance in public service, particularly for institutions entrusted with public resources and development responsibilities.

Day One therefore provided the Board and Management of the SSDC with a broader understanding of governance principles, statutory obligations, leadership responsibilities and ethical standards necessary for building a credible and effective public institution.

The second day shifted attention to accountability, anti-corruption, procurement, public financial management and effective administrative procedures.

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, delivered a session on the “Role of ICPC in the Prevention of Corrupt Practices in the Public Service.”

The session highlighted the importance of preventive mechanisms and institutional safeguards in reducing opportunities for corruption and promoting transparency in the conduct of government business.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, also addressed participants on the “Role of EFCC in Improving Accountability in the Public Service.”

His presentation further reinforced the need for public institutions to maintain strong accountability mechanisms, prudent management of public resources and strict adherence to established rules and regulations.

On public procurement, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, provided practical guidance on the “Essentials of the Public Procurement Act.”

The session emphasised due process, transparency, accountability and compliance with procurement regulations as essential components of responsible public-sector administration.

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, further led discussions on “Guidelines on Administrative Procedures in the Public Service: Roles and Responsibilities of the Board,” providing participants with additional perspectives on effective institutional administration and the responsibilities of governing boards.

The workshop also examined public financial management through a session on the “Treasury Single Account (TSA): Roles, Impacts and Challenges,” delivered on behalf of the Accountant-General of the Federation by Mr Emmanuel Shagaya, Director, Treasury Single Account, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The session provided an opportunity for participants to examine the relevance of the TSA framework to public financial management, including its role, operational implications and the challenges associated with its implementation.

Adding a corporate governance perspective to the engagement, Dr Muhammed K. Ahmed, President of the Society for Corporate Governance, shared insights on principles that can strengthen institutional accountability, responsible leadership and effective governance.

The two-day workshop culminated in an extensive exchange of ideas and reflections among the Board, Management and resource persons drawn from some of Nigeria’s leading governance, regulatory, anti-corruption, procurement and public financial management institutions.

The engagement reinforced the understanding that the successful implementation of the SSDC mandate requires more than development programmes and projects. It also requires strong institutions, transparent systems, accountable leadership, ethical conduct and strict compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

For the South-South Development Commission, the workshop represents part of its broader effort to establish the institutional foundations required to deliver sustainable and impactful development across the region.

With the knowledge gained from the engagement, the Commission is expected to further strengthen its governance structures, administrative processes and accountability mechanisms while ensuring that its operations remain aligned with national laws, regulations and public-sector best practices.

The two-day engagement ultimately underscored a central message: strong governance and accountable leadership are essential to achieving sustainable development.

For the SSDC, the commitment remains clear — to build a strong institution, strengthen its systems and leadership, and deliver effectively on its mandate for the benefit of the South-South region.