Inside the Push for Better Governance
For many Nigerians, trust in government has been brittle for years — shaped by empty promises, opaque systems and the everyday frustration of citizens who feel public institutions often work for themselves, not for the people. But across Abuja and beyond, a quiet conversation is gaining traction: can governance reforms truly rebuild public trust? And if so, what would that look like in practice?
It’s a question that goes beyond slogans. Trust isn’t rebuilt by speeches alone — it must be earned through actions that citizens can see, understand and feel in their daily lives.
Transparency: More Than a Buzzword
One of the boldest moves in recent years has been the government’s focus on transparency. In late 2025, Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) unveiled the latest Transparency and Integrity Index — a tool meant to hold ministries, departments and agencies to account by measuring their openness and ethical conduct.
The idea is straightforward: when citizens can actually see what their government is doing — from financial management to procurement records — suspicion starts to fade. It’s not perfect yet, but the index is meant to be a benchmark, not just a report card.
“Transparency isn’t just about numbers,” the BPSR director said. “It’s about building a culture that inspires public trust.”
Fighting Corruption with Purpose
Corruption has long been a favourite bogeyman in Nigeria’s story of mistrust. It eats into public services, erodes confidence, and often leaves citizens disillusioned about progress.
The Justice Ministry in Abuja has put it plainly: fighting corruption is not just a legal duty, but a way to restore public trust and protect citizens’ rights. Officials at an anti‑corruption event last year underscored that corruption is not merely a governance failure — it’s a violation of human dignity.
That appeal to dignity — framing good governance as a matter of respect — strikes at what many Nigerians already feel: public service should be a moral duty, not a privilege for those in office.
Reforming Systems, Not Just Leaders
Trust is fragile when people feel systems are stacked against them. Experts and civil society advocates have welcomed moves by the government to decentralise and streamline decision‑making — from changes in public procurement to new governance codes aimed at improving accountability across the public sector.
One such reform involves adjusting how government contracts are awarded and reported, making the process less opaque and more efficient. Commentators argue that when citizens see clear rules and fair processes, confidence naturally grows.
Similarly, proposals for a Nigeria Public Sector Governance Code are meant to tighten standards for financial management, ethics and board conduct — not just in theory, but as part of everyday practice in public offices.
The Hard Part: Delivery and Communication
It’s one thing to launch indices and draft codes; it’s quite another to deliver results that ordinary Nigerians experience. Many citizens still feel distant from the reforms — not because the reforms lack merit, but because the link between policy and lived reality remains thin.
Experts say that government must communicate not just what is being done, but why it matters. Clear, honest communication — and listening to citizens’ feedback — can make people feel part of the reform journey, rather than its spectators.
Trust as a Two‑Way Street
Nigeria’s governance reforms show that rebuilding trust is not about quick wins or cosmetic changes. It’s about doing the slow, often frustrating work of strengthening institutions, promoting honesty and delivering services that improve people’s lives. It means citizens see that public officials are accountable, accessible and answerable to them.
As one reform advocate put it: the worth of governance isn’t just in policy papers — it’s in the confidence people place in the system, day in and day out.
