The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) is placing ethics and professional conduct at the centre of its reform drive, with officers across the South-South undergoing intensive training aimed at improving how the Commission handles citizens’ complaints and delivers administrative justice.
The three-day capacity-building programme, organised in two phases, brings together officers from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta and Rivers states.
The first phase was held from August 4 to 6, 2026, while the second phase is scheduled for August 11 to 13.
The initiative, launched under the leadership of the PCC Chief Commissioner, Hon. Bashir Abubakar (MFR), reflects the Commission’s growing emphasis on the human element of institutional reform — equipping officers not only with technical skills but also with the ethical judgment required when dealing with citizens seeking redress.
For an institution whose effectiveness depends largely on public confidence, the message from the training is clear: the credibility of the Ombudsman begins with the integrity of the officials entrusted with citizens’ grievances.
Facilitated by Instinct Resources Services Ltd, the programme is drawing experts in public administration and governance to expose participants to ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, conflict-of-interest management, professional conduct and global standards in Ombudsman administration.
Speaking during the opening ceremonies, Honourable Commissioners from the participating states commended Abubakar for making human-capital development a key component of the Commission’s reform agenda.
They said restoring confidence in public institutions requires more than policies and structures, stressing that officials who interact directly with citizens must demonstrate fairness, competence and integrity.
The Commissioners urged participants to take the lessons beyond the training room and apply them to the handling of complaints, decision-making and everyday interactions with members of the public.
The Lead Consultant, Associate Professor Agbegbedia Anthony Oghenevwoke, PhD, said the programme demonstrated the PCC’s commitment to building an Ombudsman institution that is ethical, responsive and professionally equipped to meet contemporary challenges.
He described ethics and integrity as indispensable to effective public administration, particularly for officers responsible for resolving complaints and addressing citizens’ grievances.
Oghenevwoke urged participants to maintain impartiality, transparency and accountability, noting that any compromise in these areas could undermine the confidence the public places in the Commission.
Another consultant, Dr. Adegboyega Adedolapo OLA, described the programme as a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria’s Ombudsman system.
He said aligning the PCC’s operations with international best practices would strengthen the quality and efficiency of complaint resolution while making the institution more responsive to citizens.
According to him, public trust remains the foundation of an effective Ombudsman institution, making professionalism and ethical conduct critical to its legitimacy.
Beyond classroom lectures, participants are being taken through practical exercises covering ethical decision-making, anti-corruption principles, workplace discipline, complaint management, accountability mechanisms and value-based public service.
Case studies, scenario-based exercises, interactive discussions and experience-sharing sessions are also being used to help officers translate ethical principles into practical responses to real administrative challenges.
The South-South programme is part of the PCC’s wider nationwide reform effort to reposition the Commission as a modern, efficient and citizen-focused Ombudsman institution.
The ultimate test, however, will be whether the lessons from the training translate into better experiences for Nigerians who turn to the Commission for justice.
By strengthening the people behind the institution, the PCC is seeking to build not only a more competent workforce, but an Ombudsman system capable of earning and sustaining public trust.
