By Stella Odueme
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, has said the inauguration of the Fund’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) demonstrates its renewed commitment to integrity, accountability and public trust.
Faleye stated this in Abuja during the inauguration of the NSITF ACTU and its regional and branch champions at the Fund’s headquarters.
He described the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as a partner in the Fund’s efforts to promote compliance, transparency and institutional reforms.
According to him, the inauguration goes beyond a formal exercise, reflecting the kind of institution the NSITF seeks to build.
“For us at NSITF, today’s inauguration is much more than a formal exercise. It is really a renewed commitment to the kind of institution we want NSITF to be. One where integrity guides our conduct, accountability defines our actions, and public trust remains central,” he said.
Faleye dismissed concerns that the ACTU was established to witch-hunt staff, explaining that its mandate was preventive and collaborative rather than investigative or interrogative.
“There is really no cause for concern. It is not a witch-hunt, it is not an investigative or interrogative process. It is rather a collaborative process that guides us from making mistakes we will regret down the line,” he said.
He urged staff to see the unit as a partner in promoting ethical conduct and encouraged its members to engage colleagues in ways that would facilitate the sharing of information and whistleblowing where necessary.
The NSITF boss charged the newly inaugurated members to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, objectivity, courage and professionalism, noting that the unit’s effectiveness would be measured by its impact on the Fund’s integrity rating.
He said the appointment of regional and branch champions would help extend anti-corruption advocacy beyond the headquarters, stressing that the Fund’s operations largely take place at the regional and branch levels.
Faleye maintained that the responsibility for preventing corruption rested with every staff member, regardless of rank, and not the ACTU alone.
“Every staff member has a duty to uphold established procedures, protect public resources and act in the best interest of the institution,” he said.
He assured that the management would continue to strengthen internal controls, encourage ethical behaviour and provide leadership by example.
“Internal control, ethical behaviour, accountability will start from the top and go down the ranks. We are committed to providing the right leadership,” he added.
Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated ACTU members have pledged to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, objectivity, fairness and professionalism to strengthen transparency and accountability within the Fund.
The Deputy General Manager, General Administration Services, at the NSITF Abuja Regional Office, Mrs Asma’u Mohammed, made the pledge on behalf of the members during the ceremony.
Mohammed expressed appreciation to the NSITF management, particularly Faleye, for the confidence reposed in them and his commitment to institutional integrity.
She also commended the ICPC for its continued support and guidance in strengthening integrity systems across public institutions.
According to her, the inauguration represents a renewed commitment to embedding transparency and accountability in the Fund’s operations.
She described the ACTU as a critical mechanism for promoting ethical values, identifying and mitigating corruption risks, encouraging compliance with established procedures and supporting management in strengthening good governance.
Mohammed said the onboarding of regional and branch champions would expand integrity advocacy across the Fund’s offices, strengthen awareness and encourage ethical conduct among employees.
She added that the members would work with management, staff and relevant stakeholders to reinforce ethical standards and institutional safeguards necessary for effective service delivery.
Mohammed, however, stressed that the fight against corruption required the collective participation of all staff members.
The Chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, described the inauguration as an important step towards strengthening the NSITF’s internal mechanisms for promoting integrity, transparency and accountability.
Aliyu, who inaugurated the unit, said the exercise would equip the newly appointed members with the foundation required to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
He recalled that ACTUs were established through collaboration between the ICPC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and had evolved into a recognised anti-corruption platform within the public service.
According to him, the units serve as internal mechanisms for identifying systemic weaknesses, mitigating corruption risks, promoting ethical conduct and strengthening compliance with established rules and procedures.
The ICPC chairman said the establishment of the ACTU aligned with the NSITF’s vision of becoming Africa’s leading social security institution and contributing to social policy, economic empowerment and poverty alleviation.
He emphasised that the ACTU was not a rival to the management but a complementary unit operating under the oversight of the managing director.
“It is important to emphasise that the ACTU is a complementary unit to Management. Its role is not to compete with or replace the Management but to support and strengthen the Fund’s efforts in promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical practices,” he said.
Aliyu urged the NSITF management to provide the unit with adequate funding, office facilities and representation on relevant standing committees to enable it to function effectively.
He also encouraged the Fund to invite the ICPC as an observer during promotion, recruitment and procurement exercises to enhance the credibility and transparency of the processes.
Congratulating the newly inaugurated members, the ICPC chairman urged them to maintain independence, impartiality and professionalism in carrying out their duties.
He cautioned them against actions or relationships that could compromise their credibility or undermine public confidence in the unit.
Aliyu reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working with the NSITF to promote good governance and national development.
ACTU chairperson calls for collective action
Earlier, the Acting Chairperson of the NSITF ACTU, Mrs Udoka Mirian Otti, described the inauguration and onboarding of the unit’s champions as an important step towards strengthening anti-corruption awareness within the Fund.
Otti said the ACTU played a vital role in promoting integrity, transparency, accountability and ethical conduct across the organisation.
She stressed that the fight against corruption required the commitment of every staff member.
Otti noted that, as an institution responsible for providing social security protection to Nigerian workers and their dependants under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, the NSITF must ensure that its actions and internal processes reflected fairness, responsibility and accountability.
She expressed appreciation to the ICPC for its continued guidance and collaboration, as well as the NSITF management for supporting efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability within the Fund.