The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has cautioned governing boards of federal parastatals, agencies, and commissions against interfering in the day-to-day administration of their organisations, warning that such actions often lead to institutional conflict and reduced efficiency.
Akume issued the warning on Monday in Abuja during an induction programme organised for newly appointed chief executive officers, chairpersons, and members of governing boards across federal institutions. The event was aimed at strengthening governance structures and clarifying the roles of key office holders within the public service.
In a statement released by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations, Chris Ugwuegbulam, the SGF stressed that boards must remain within their statutory limits and avoid operational interference.
He explained that governing boards are primarily established to provide policy direction, strategic oversight, and institutional guidance, while the day-to-day running of agencies remains the responsibility of chief executive officers. According to him, confusion or overlap between these roles has been a recurring source of friction in several government institutions.
Represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Akume noted that such misunderstandings have, in some cases, undermined productivity, weakened internal cohesion, and slowed down service delivery across agencies.
He further emphasised that the induction programme was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of government policies, administrative procedures, and the broader expectations of public office. It also seeks to equip appointees with the knowledge required to function effectively within Nigeria’s public service framework.
Akume reiterated that the public service remains the central mechanism for implementing government policies and delivering services to citizens, adding that parastatals and agencies exist strictly within defined mandates that support national priorities.
He urged board chairpersons and members to carefully study the enabling laws and operational guidelines governing their respective institutions in order to avoid unnecessary clashes with management teams.
Highlighting the core responsibilities of boards, he listed key duties to include safeguarding the long-term interests of the Federal Government, promoting efficiency and cost-effectiveness, strengthening internal controls and risk management systems, monitoring performance of management, and supporting strategic institutional growth.
The SGF also disclosed that the Bureau of Public Service Reforms has been directed to assess the performance and institutional harmony of agencies whose officials participated in the induction programme. The assessment, he said, will help government measure compliance with established rules and evaluate how effectively boards and management teams work together.
He urged all appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating professionalism, accountability, transparency, and a strong commitment to public service delivery.
Reaffirming the administration’s position, he said the government of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to strengthening institutions, improving governance structures, and ensuring more efficient service delivery to Nigerians across all sectors.
