Inauguration of NSITF’s ACTU to promote integrity, public trust – MD Faleye

…Members vow to deepen transparency culture
…Right step to accountability, ICPC chair

The Managing Director/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) is a renewed commitment to building an institution guided by integrity and public trust.

Faleye stated this in Abuja at the inauguration of the NSITF ACTU and its Regional and Branch Champions which held at the Fund’s headquarters recently.

Welcoming the delegation of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), led by the representative of the Chairman, the NSITF boss described ICPC as a friend of the Fund and commended its role in driving compliance and transformative initiatives in the organisation.

“It has truly been a long day coming. We have been at this for a bit, and I am glad we have finally found a way to do this,” Faleye said.

The NSITF MD said the presence of the ICPC delegation was a testament to the collaborative relationship between both agencies, noting that while many organisations run when they hear ICPC, NSITF sees collaboration as a pathway to learning and improvement.

“Our shared commitment to protecting and promoting transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in public service is one reason we feel collaboration is very important,” he said, stressing that the inauguration was more than a formal exercise, but a statement of the kind of institution NSITF wants to be.

“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.”

Faleye allayed fears among staff that the Unit was set up for witch-hunting, explaining that ACTU’s role is preventive and collaborative.

“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 and urged ACTU members to engage colleagues in a manner that puts them at ease to share information and, where necessary, blow the whistle.

Faleye charged the newly inaugurated members and champions to discharge their duties with integrity, objectivity, courage and professionalism, adding that the credibility of the Unit would depend not on its existence on paper, but on the impact of its work on the Fund’s integrity rating.

He added that the onboarding of regional and branch champions was critical to extending the anti-corruption culture beyond the head office, since most of the Fund’s operations happen at the branches and regions, and emphasized that preventing corruption is the responsibility of every staff member, from the Managing Director to the lowest rank, and not 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.

The MD assured that 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 stated.

Meanwhile, the new NSITF’s ACTU members have pledged to discharge their mandate with diligence, objectivity and professionalism to strengthen integrity and accountability in the Fund.

Deputy General Manager, General Administration Services (GAS), of NSITF’s Abuja Regional Office, Mrs. Asma’u Mohammed, made the pledge on their behalf at the inauguration ceremony.

She expressed profound gratitude to the Management of the for the confidence reposed in them, particularly the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, for what she described as his visionary leadership and commitment to institutional integrity.

“We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Management of NSITF, under the visionary leadership of our Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, for the confidence reposed in us. We are deeply honoured by this responsibility and fully conscious of the expectations that accompany it,” she stated.

Mohammed also conveyed appreciation to the Chairman and Management of the ICPC for their continued support and guidance in strengthening integrity systems across public institutions.

She noted that the inauguration goes beyond the formal establishment of a Unit, describing it as a renewed commitment to embedding transparency and accountability in the operations of the Fund.

“Today’s occasion represents more than the inauguration of a Unit. It signifies a renewed commitment to strengthening institutional integrity and embedding the principles of transparency and accountability in our operations,” she said.

According to her, the ACTU has a vital role in promoting ethical values, identifying and mitigating corruption risks, encouraging compliance with established procedures and supporting Management in fostering good governance.

Mohammed welcomed the onboarding and inauguration of ACTU Regional and Branch Champions alongside the national members, saying the initiative will extend integrity advocacy to every level of the Fund.

“This initiative represents an important step towards extending integrity advocacy to every level of the Fund. 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 explained.

“We pledge to discharge our duties with diligence, objectivity, fairness, courage, and professionalism, while upholding the highest standards of integrity in all our engagements,” she assured.

She however emphasized that the fight against corruption cannot be left to one unit alone, stressing that building an institution founded on integrity requires collective ownership and active participation of all staff.

“We therefore commit to working collaboratively with Management, staff, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen ethical standards, promote transparency, and reinforce the institutional safeguards necessary for the effective delivery of NSITF’s mandate,” she said.

“We accept this responsibility with humility and determination, and pledge to justify the trust reposed in us. May our collective efforts contribute meaningfully to strengthening transparency, accountability, public confidence, and service excellence within the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund,” she added.

While inaugurating the NSITF, ACTU Unit, the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, described it as a critical step in strengthening integrity and accountability in the Fund.

“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Managing Director/CE and staff of NSITF for their invaluable support in facilitating the successful inauguration and induction of the Fund’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit,” the ICPC Chairman said.

According to him, the inauguration marks an important step in strengthening the Fund’s internal mechanisms for promoting integrity, transparency and accountability, while equipping newly appointed members with the foundation to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Aliyu recalled that ACTUs were initiated by the ICPC in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and have now evolved into a recognised government anti-corruption platform within the public service.

“They serve as internal mechanisms for identifying systemic weaknesses, mitigating corruption risks, promoting ethical conduct and strengthening compliance with established rules and procedures,” he said.

He noted that the establishment of the Unit aligns with NSITF’s vision “to be the leading Social Security Institution in Africa, setting the agenda for change, social policy, economic empowerment and poverty alleviation.”

He stressed that ACTU is not a rival to management but a complementary support 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,” Aliyu stated.

He therefore urged NSITF Management to provide an enabling environment, adequate funding, proper office facilities and representation of the Unit in relevant standing committees.

Aliyu also encouraged the Fund to always invite the ICPC as an observer during promotion, recruitment and procurement exercises to ensure credibility of the processes.
The ICPC boss congratulated the newly inaugurated member of the ACTU Unit, describing their appointment as both a privilege and a call to service.

“I urge you to discharge your duties with diligence, integrity, impartiality and professionalism. You must at all times guard against actions or relationships that could compromise your independence, credibility or the confidence reposed in you,” he charged.

He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to deepening collaboration with NSITF and supporting the ACTU to advance good governance and national development.

“The inauguration of this ACTU further reinforces the shared commitment of ICPC and NSITF to promoting transparency, accountability and ethical standards in the Public Service,” Aliyu added.

In her remarks, the Acting Chairperson of the ACTU of the NSITF, Mrs. Udoka Mirian Otti, said the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of every staff member.

She described the programme as critical to promoting anti-corruption awareness within the institution.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this important programme marking the inauguration and onboarding of our ACTU Champions and the promotion of anti-corruption awareness within the Fund,” she said.

According to her, the ACTU plays a vital role in promoting integrity, transparency, accountability and ethical conduct within the organisation.

“The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of every member of staff. The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit plays a vital role in promoting integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct,” Otti stated.

She noted that as an institution responsible for providing social security protection to Nigerian workers and their dependants under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, NSITF’s actions and internal processes must reflect fairness, responsibility and accountability.

Otti expressed appreciation to the ICPC for its continued guidance and collaboration, and to NSITF Management for supporting efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability.