Warning to Newly Appointed Board Chairmen and CEOs: Shun Power Tussles and Stay Within Boundaries

Strategic Insights -

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. Akume emphasized that they must operate strictly within the boundaries of their statutory responsibilities to ensure optimal performance and policy alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator George Akume warned newly appointed Board Chairmen, CEOs, and Members of Governing Boards against power tussles and administrative interference, urging them to operate strictly within the boundaries of their statutory responsibilities.
  • The induction programme, which took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel, was aimed at enhancing their understanding of governance, accountability, and effective service delivery under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
  • The programme is part of ongoing reforms to reposition public institutions for optimal performance and policy alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
  • Senator Akume 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 emphasized that boards must function as part-time bodies and refrain from appropriating privileges not due to them, including permanent use of official vehicles, unauthorized foreign travels, and illegal accommodation entitlements.
  • 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.

Statistics:

  • The programme was attended by CEOs and Board Members of various federal parastatals, agencies, and commissions, including 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), and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
  • 8 institutions were represented at the induction, alongside many others.
  • The programme is aimed at enhancing the understanding of governance, accountability, and effective service delivery among the CEOs and Board Members.

Sources:

  • Senator George Akume's address at the high-level induction programme in Abuja, published in the [No source mentioned],
  • Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) [No source mentioned]