The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has cautioned newly appointed Board Chairmen, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), and Members of Governing Boards of key federal parastatals and agencies against power tussles and administrative interference, urging them to operate strictly within the boundaries of their statutory responsibilities.
He issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja while declaring open a high-level induction programme for the Chairmen, CEOs, and Board Members of various federal parastatals, agencies, and commissions. The event, which took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton), was aimed at enhancing their understanding of governance, accountability, and effective service delivery under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Among the institutions represented at the induction were: the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Nigeria Correctional Service, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company, and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), among others.
Akume said the programme is part of ongoing reforms to reposition public institutions for optimal performance and policy alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This induction is timely and significant. It is a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and result-oriented leadership,” he said.
While acknowledging the vital roles played by parastatals in driving government policies and delivering services to Nigerians, Akume expressed concern over what he described as “increasing frictions” between governing boards and chief executives of federal institutions.
“Government is disturbed by the unhealthy relationships and power struggles in some agencies,” he noted. “These frictions are usually caused by disregard for statutory roles, unlawful interference in executive functions, and personal ambitions that derail institutional focus.”
The SGF highlighted several disturbing practices, including:
– Chairmen and board members issuing directives to staff without recourse to the CEOs;
– Disruptive involvement in the day-to-day management of agencies;
– Initiating disciplinary actions against CEOs without following due process;
– Undermining organizational stability by instigating internal conflicts, including labour unrest.
Senator Akume reminded participants that public institutions are governed by specific legal frameworks, including their Acts of Establishment, the Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, and other key policy documents. He explained that while boards are responsible for setting operational policies and offering oversight, the CEOs are statutorily empowered to manage daily operations and provide strategic leadership.
“Boards must function as part-time bodies and refrain from appropriating privileges not due to them. This includes permanent use of official vehicles, unauthorized foreign travels, and illegal accommodation entitlements,” he emphasized.
He further noted that in line with the government’s drive for accountability, the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has been mandated to carry out post-induction impact assessments on the respective agencies to monitor compliance with extant rules and assess the level of cooperation between boards and management.
“You must justify the trust reposed in you by the President and the Nigerian people. The Renewed Hope Agenda demands nothing less than transparency, patriotism, and discipline,” he said.
Akume urged the participants to remain present throughout the programme, warning that any delegate who exits prematurely without clearance would be sanctioned.