From policies to results: CPSG Forum demands better public sector performance

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s public sector have called for the strengthening of public institutions, governance systems and accountability mechanisms capable of sustaining effective government performance beyond the tenure of individual political and administrative leaders.

The stakeholders made the call at the maiden physical forum of the Centre for Public Sector Governance (CPSG), a subdivision of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), where public sector practitioners, regulators, governance professionals, private sector stakeholders and researchers examined practical ways of improving institutional performance and delivering sustainable public value.

The forum focused extensively on the need for Nigeria to move beyond leadership-dependent institutions by developing systems, processes and accountability structures that can preserve institutional knowledge and ensure continuity regardless of changes in leadership.

Opening the forum, the Chief Operating Officer of CPSG, Dr. Oyebisi Taiwo, welcomed participants and formally invited the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, Ms. Chioma Mordi, to deliver the opening address.

Mordi explained that CPSG was established to extend the principles and practices of corporate governance into Nigeria’s public sector, noting that effective governance remains critical to strengthening public institutions, improving service delivery and supporting sustainable economic development.

According to her, the pressure on governments to deliver better results with limited resources makes effective governance increasingly important.

She stressed that strong governance structures could help public institutions become more efficient, accountable and responsive to the needs of citizens.

A major issue that dominated discussions at the forum was the persistent gap between government policies and their actual impact on citizens.

Speaking during an interview session, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi, mni, argued that government performance should not be measured simply by the number or quality of policies formulated, but by the extent to which those policies produce measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

Obi emphasised that effective public-sector delivery requires attention to the entire policy process, beginning from policy conception and design through budgeting, procurement and funding to implementation and eventual service delivery.

He noted that weaknesses at any stage of the process could undermine the effectiveness of an otherwise well-designed government policy.

His position underscored the importance of viewing governance as an interconnected chain rather than a collection of isolated administrative responsibilities.

The discussions also highlighted the responsibility of leaders and officials entrusted with public institutions and resources.

Dr. Debra Brown, Founder, President and CEO of Governance Solutions Inc. and The Professional Director Institute, said leadership must be accompanied by stewardship if public institutions are to retain the confidence and trust of citizens.

Brown maintained that individuals entrusted with public institutions and resources have a responsibility to protect public trust and promote the well-being of the citizens whom such institutions were established to serve.

Her presentation reinforced the importance of integrity, accountability, institutional discipline and a sustained commitment to public outcomes.

She also emphasised the need for leaders to understand that occupying a public office carries responsibilities that extend beyond individual interests or the duration of a particular tenure.

The issue of institutional continuity came into sharper focus during the panel session, where the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, called for systems capable of preserving institutional effectiveness beyond individual office holders.

Drawing from his experience in both the public and private sectors, Opeifa observed that institutions that depend excessively on the personalities of their leaders could face serious challenges whenever there is a change in leadership.

He advocated the development of stronger institutional systems, properly documented best practices and standard operating procedures that would help institutionalise knowledge and prevent valuable progress from being lost when leaders leave office.

According to him, institutional effectiveness should not depend solely on the ability, personality or vision of an individual leader.

Rather, he stressed the importance of creating structures that enable institutions to maintain their direction, knowledge and performance even when leadership changes.

The panel session, which featured Opeifa and Obi, was moderated by Nimma Mo-Madugu, Partner at KENNA.
Participants also examined other critical areas of public-sector governance, including public infrastructure, citizen engagement, leadership accountability and the need to strengthen the systems through which government policies are converted into tangible services and benefits for citizens.

The discussions reflected growing concerns over the ability of public institutions to maintain continuity, preserve institutional memory and deliver consistent results in an environment where leadership changes frequently affect priorities, programmes and administrative processes.

Stakeholders at the forum therefore stressed the importance of building institutions that are stronger than the individuals who lead them.

They argued that sustainable national development requires governance structures capable of surviving political transitions, administrative changes and leadership succession without sacrificing institutional effectiveness.

More than 40 participants attended the forum physically, while approximately 100 others participated virtually, demonstrating significant interest in practical approaches to strengthening public-sector governance and improving institutional performance.

For CPSG, the forum represents the beginning of a sustained platform for evidence-informed dialogue on Nigeria’s governance challenges.

The Centre said it would build on the outcome of the discussions through research, capacity development, policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement, with the broader objective of strengthening public institutions and improving their capacity to deliver sustainable public value.

The forum also provided an opportunity for participants from different sectors to share experiences and perspectives on how governance principles can be adapted to address the realities confronting Nigeria’s public institutions.

The Centre for Public Sector Governance is a subdivision of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria dedicated to promoting effective governance, leadership and institutional performance within Nigeria’s public sector.

Through research, capacity development, policy engagement and governance-focused programmes, CPSG seeks to support public institutions and other stakeholders in developing stronger systems, improving accountability and enhancing the quality of public-sector service delivery.

The central message from the forum was clear: for Nigeria to achieve sustainable development, public institutions must be designed to outlive individual leaders, preserve institutional knowledge and continue delivering results regardless of who occupies the office.