The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has underscored the critical role of system integrity in public institutions, describing it as the bedrock of effective leadership, ethical governance and sustainable revenue growth, while warning that no institution can deliver its mandate or attract public trust without transparent, accountable and resilient systems in place.
According to a statement issued by Anastasia Ogbonna of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the development underscores the Ministry’s continued commitment to strategic oversight, stakeholder engagement and policy-driven interventions within the nation’s marine and blue economy sector.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, made this known today at a retreat, themed: “The Art and Practice of System Integrity in Public Institutions” organized by National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in collaboration with Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC)
In his keynote address, Oyetola stressed that system integrity is crucial for NIWA’s success, enabling the authority to fulfill its mandate and contribute to Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda.
The Minister further outlined key areas for improvement, including: revenue generation, transparency, and accountability, urging NIWA to leverage technology and public-private partnerships to enhance efficiency and financial sustainability.
“System integrity is not a moral luxury; it is an economic necessity,” Oyetola stated, calling on NIWA’s Board and Management to prioritize financial sustainability and drive innovation in revenue generation.
Futhermore, the Minister observed that the partnership with ICPC aligns with the Federal Government’s preventive approach to combating corruption, adding that ethical leadership and transparent revenue systems are critical to harnessing the full economic potential of Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Earlier, the Acting Managing, NIWA, Umar Girei, said the retreat aims to strengthen NIWA’s systems and processes, promoting a culture of transparency, accountability, and performance-driven leadership.
The Managing Director, emphasized the Authority’s commitment to institutional reforms, effective revenue generation, and zero tolerance for corrupt practices.
Also speaking, the Chairman, ICPC, Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN) reaffirmed its orgaization’s readiness to support public institutions through preventive mechanisms, capacity building, and integrity-driven initiatives.