WorldStage– The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has organized a comprehensive Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Programme for all officers on Grade Level 14 and below.
Held through its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and themed “Say No to Corruption: Integrity Begins with Me,” the workshop is designed to strengthen institutional transparency, reinforce public service values, and promote ethical workplace conduct across the ministry.
Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, urged staff members to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability while discharging their official responsibilities.
Represented by the Director of the Special Projects Unit, Olatunde Ajayi, Belgore described ACTU as a vital strategic partner in advancing institutional excellence and good governance rather than an adversary to civil servants.
He emphasized that combating corruption requires far more than formal policies, systems, and regulatory controls, noting that real and lasting progress depends heavily on the personal commitment of individual public servants.
According to Belgore, corrupt practices severely undermine national development by inflating project costs, compromising the quality of public infrastructure, distorting development priorities, and depriving Nigerian citizens of the tangible benefits of effective governance.
While reaffirming management’s unwavering commitment to equipping ACTU with the necessary operational resources and enabling environment to fulfill its mandate, the Permanent Secretary encouraged participants to embrace due process, reject unethical behavior, protect public resources, and report any wrongdoing through appropriate channels.
He urged officers to translate the knowledge gained into responsible daily conduct, noting that individual actions directly shape the ministry’s overall performance and public reputation.
He also announced that the second phase of the sensitisation programme, specifically targeted at directorate-level officers, is scheduled to take place next week.
In his remarks, the Head of ACTU, Umar Muhammed, reiterated the unit’s core mandate to foster an environment of zero tolerance for corrupt practices within the ministry.
He explained that the workshop represents a deliberate step toward embedding accountability into daily operations, stressing that institutional integrity relies on individual officers choosing honesty and transparency in their routine tasks.
Muhammed highlighted several ongoing compliance measures implemented by the unit, including closely monitoring the ministry’s standing committees to ensure strict adherence to public service rules and ethical guidelines.
Additionally, ACTU has installed physical complaint boxes across the ministry’s premises and established a dedicated email address for confidential feedback and whistleblowing.
Muhammed added that the ministry will soon formally launch its official code of ethics to further guide staff conduct, aligning with broader oversight frameworks established by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
