The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, has reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to supporting the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) in finalizing and operationalizing a robust Fiscal Responsibility Code for Nigeria.
Speaking at the Validation Meeting of the Draft Fiscal Responsibility Code in Abuja, convened pursuant to Section 3 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Dr. Arabi described the gathering as timely and significant, noting that it provides a vital platform for stakeholders to contribute to strengthening fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability in public finance management.
“For us at the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, the principles of fiscal responsibility are integral to our mandate of driving reforms that promote efficiency, effectiveness, and value-for-money in public service delivery,” Dr. Arabi said.
He stressed that a well-crafted Fiscal Responsibility Code will serve as a practical guide for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), ensuring prudent resource management, minimizing leakages, and enhancing service delivery. The BPSR DG commended the FRC for initiating an inclusive process and urged participants to work towards a Code that is clear, implementable, and aligned with global best practices.
On his part, the Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Victor Muruako, Esq., called for the swift validation of the newly developed Fiscal Responsibility Code of Conduct, describing it as an indispensable tool for enforcing the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007.
Welcoming participants from MDAs, development partners, civil society organizations, and virtual attendees, Muruako emphasized that the Code of Conduct would close enforcement gaps in fiscal governance, particularly where the Act prescribes no clear sanctions for violations.
“We regard this document as a very vital and indispensable toolkit for the effective enforcement of the spirit and letters of the Fiscal Responsibility Act,” Muruako said, acknowledging the support of partners including the European Union, the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, International IDEA, and the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).
Taking the lead in unveiling the Fiscal Responsibility Code, Bar. Eze Onyekpere, Esq., expressed strong commitment to strengthening fiscal discipline at both national and sub-national levels. He emphasized that the adoption and implementation of the Code would not only close governance gaps but also promote transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management across all tiers of government.
Also speaking, representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Shaliza, Director of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control at the EFCC; the Chief State Counsel, Federal Ministry of Justice, Imarha Oghenenyerowo Reuben, from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation; and the Special Adviser and representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Peter Owuru, pledged full support for the Commission’s mandate. They reaffirmed their readiness to collaborate in enforcing fiscal responsibility across government institutions.
The Validation Meeting brought together stakeholders to review and refine the Draft Fiscal Responsibility Code before its adoption, in a bid to further strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal governance framework.
Abubakar Abdulkarim
(SIO)
SCD
14th August, 2025