NSITF tasks staff on integrity

…As anti-corruption unit takes off

Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, has challenged staff of the fund to make integrity, transparency and accountability the cornerstone of their daily responsibilities, declaring that the fight against corruption must begin with every individual, regardless of rank or position.

Faleye gave the charge in Abuja at the inauguration of the Fund’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), alongside its Regional and Branch Champions, describing the initiative as a decisive step towards building an institution anchored on ethical conduct, institutional discipline and public trust.

He said the inauguration represented a renewed commitment to creating an organisation where integrity guides conduct, accountability defines decisions and public confidence remains central to service delivery.

“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,” Faleye declared.

Welcoming a delegation of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), led by a representative of its Chairman, Faleye described the commission as a friend of the Fund, commending its contribution to driving compliance and institutional transformation. He noted that, rather than viewing the ICPC with apprehension, NSITF considered collaboration with the anti-corruption agency an opportunity to learn, improve and strengthen its internal processes.

Addressing concerns that the new unit could become an instrument for witch-hunting employees, the NSITF boss was emphatic that ACTU was designed to prevent wrongdoing, not intimidate workers. “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 assured.

He urged staff to embrace the unit as a partner in promoting good governance and encouraged its members to create an atmosphere in which colleagues could freely share information, raise concerns and blow the whistle where necessary. Faleye also charged the newly inaugurated members to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, objectivity, courage and professionalism.

The Managing Director stressed that the effectiveness of ACTU would not be measured by its establishment on paper but by its tangible impact on the Fund’s integrity rating and institutional culture. He explained that the inclusion of regional and branch champions was particularly important because a significant proportion of the Fund’s operations takes place outside its headquarters.

“Every staff member has a duty to uphold established procedures, protect public resources and act in the best interest of the institution,” he said, adding that management would strengthen internal controls, encourage ethical behaviour and demonstrate 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 stated.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated ACTU members, the Deputy General Manager, General Administration Services, NSITF Abuja Regional Office, Mrs Asma’u Mohammed, pledged that the members would approach their assignment with diligence, fairness, objectivity and professionalism. She expressed appreciation to the Fund’s management, particularly Faleye, for entrusting them with the responsibility of strengthening institutional integrity.

Mohammed described the inauguration as more than the establishment of another administrative structure, saying it represented a commitment to making transparency and accountability practical features of the Fund’s operations. According to her, ACTU would promote ethical values, identify and mitigate corruption risks, encourage compliance with established procedures and support management in entrenching good governance.

She further said the deployment of regional and branch champions would extend integrity advocacy across the Fund, ensuring that ethical standards were not confined to the headquarters. “Through this network, we hope to strengthen awareness, encourage ethical conduct, and ensure that the values we uphold are reflected in our daily activities across all NSITF offices,” she said, pledging that the members would justify the confidence reposed in them.

The Chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, described the inauguration as a critical step towards strengthening the Fund’s internal mechanisms for transparency, accountability and ethical conduct. He recalled that ACTUs were initiated by the ICPC in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and had evolved into a recognised anti-corruption platform within the public service.

Aliyu explained that the units were established to identify systemic weaknesses, reduce corruption risks, promote ethical behaviour and strengthen compliance with rules and procedures. He emphasised that ACTU was not a rival to management but a complementary structure designed to support institutional accountability. He consequently urged NSITF management to provide the unit with adequate funding, office facilities and representation on relevant standing committees.

In a further push for transparency, the ICPC chairman encouraged the Fund to invite the commission to participate as an observer in recruitment, promotion and procurement exercises to enhance the credibility of such processes. He also challenged the newly appointed members to protect their independence and avoid relationships or actions capable of undermining public confidence in their work. “You must at all times guard against actions or relationships that could compromise your independence, credibility or the confidence reposed in you,” Aliyu warned.

The Acting Chairperson of NSITF ACTU, Mrs Udoka Mirian Otti, also stressed that the fight against corruption could not be left to a single unit or a handful of officials. She said the Fund’s responsibility for providing social security protection to Nigerian workers and their dependants under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme made fairness, accountability and responsible conduct indispensable.