Revisiting the Governance and Social Interface with Public Institutions: Code of Conduct Bureau and Public Complaints Commission in Nigeria

Abstract

The social interaction between the government and its population is significantly shaped by the governance of public institutions. The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) are Nigeria's two main agencies in charge of upholding openness, accountability, and resolving public complaints. The objective of this study is to evaluate how well these institutions have performed their duties and promoted a strong social interface between the people and the government. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data from key stakeholders through the administration of questionnaires and in-depth interviews. To contextualize how these organizations operate, a thorough analysis of legal frameworks, policy texts, and historical data was also done. The findings revealed that the institutions' efforts have not increased public service accountability and have not helped in consecrating transparency and probity in public governance. The establishment of the institutions have not helped to enhance employees’ performance in the public sector. Despite these shortcomings, the study identified exemplary practices and success stories within the institutions, highlighting their potential influence on advancing good governance and enhancing the social interface with the general public. The study concluded that the activities and performance of the institutions had a significant effect on governance in Nigeria. The study recommended strengthened legal frameworks; financial autonomy; enhanced training and capacity building; streamlined complaint handling mechanisms; whistleblower protection; public awareness; collaboration with civil society; e-Governance initiatives; institutionalized performance evaluation; and downplaying of political interference to improve the efficiency of CCB and PCC in Nigeria