The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Mr. Oyetunde Ojo, has received an Award of Excellence from the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) in recognition of his efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and ethical governance within the authority. The award was presented in Abuja during a ceremony organised by the academy.

Presenting the award, the Provost of ACAN, Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim, said the recognition reflects Ojo’s commitment to promoting integrity and strengthening collaboration between the FHA, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and ACAN. He noted that the partnership is aimed at reducing corrupt practices and improving governance within the housing agency.

Responding to the honour, Ojo described the award as a recognition of the collective efforts of FHA staff rather than a personal achievement. He said the authority has introduced several institutional reforms designed to improve transparency, rebuild public confidence, and reduce opportunities for corruption in its operations.

According to the FHA Managing Director, one of the key reforms has been the digitalisation of the authority’s operations. He explained that automating critical processes has helped tackle challenges such as multiple allocations, document forgery, and other administrative irregularities that previously affected service delivery. The authority has also strengthened its procurement procedures by adopting stricter open-tendering processes supported by digital documentation.

Ojo added that the FHA intends to expand the use of automation and electronic platforms across its operations to reduce human discretion, improve traceability, and enhance institutional accountability. He noted that these reforms have contributed to a measurable decline in corruption-related allegations involving the authority while improving operational efficiency.

Also speaking at the event, the FHA’s General Manager for SERVICOM and Anti-Corruption Unit, Mrs. Ebere Alalib, said the award reflects the authority’s growing commitment to good governance and ethical leadership. She encouraged staff members to sustain the culture of professionalism, honesty, and accountability in carrying out their responsibilities.

Governance experts say digital transformation, transparent procurement systems, and stronger institutional oversight are becoming increasingly important in improving accountability across public sector organisations. They note that reforms aimed at reducing corruption can enhance investor confidence, improve service delivery, and strengthen public trust in government institutions.

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The Federal Government has dismissed claims that funds from the federation account are being diverted, insisting that deductions by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) are legitimate and properly accounted for.

In a statement, the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, said recent interpretations of the World Bank Nigeria Development Update were misleading.

According to him, some reports wrongly described FAAC deductions as “leakages” or hidden spending, contrary to the World Bank’s actual findings.

“The interpretations misrepresent the World Bank’s analysis and reflect a misunderstanding of Nigeria’s fiscal system,” the ministry stated.

The government explained that the deductions referenced in the report cover statutory transfers, savings, security expenditures, cost-of-collection charges, and refunds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

It stressed that these are legitimate fiscal obligations, including allocations to subnational governments, and should not be classified as missing funds.

The ministry also faulted what it described as selective reporting, noting that positive aspects of the World Bank report were largely ignored.

According to the government, the World Bank acknowledged that recent reforms would enhance transparency and increase revenue available to all tiers of government.

The ministry highlighted that new fiscal measures introduced in 2026, including an executive order to improve petroleum revenue remittance, are already addressing concerns around deductions.

It added that the reforms are expected to boost distributable revenue by about 0.4 per cent of GDP annually.

Beyond revenue concerns, the government said the report pointed to broader economic improvements, including declining inflation, stronger external reserves, and a current account surplus.

It also noted an improvement in Nigeria’s debt indicators, with a reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio recorded for the first time in over a decade.

The Federal Government maintained that the World Bank’s overall conclusion was positive, emphasising that ongoing reforms are yielding results and should be sustained.

It reiterated its commitment to strengthening fiscal transparency, improving revenue mobilisation, and ensuring efficient public spending.

The ministry urged stakeholders and the media to interpret fiscal data responsibly to avoid undermining public confidence in ongoing economic reforms.

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The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) has announced plans to integrate Islamic finance services into the country’s national financial reporting framework.

The move involves adopting standards issued by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the Council said.

Rabiu Olowo, Executive Secretary and CEO of the FRC, revealed the initiative during the 7th Africa Islamic Finance Conference in Lagos, noting that it aligns with the Council’s mandate to set, monitor, and enforce financial reporting standards across Nigeria.

Olowo highlighted the rapid growth of Islamic finance in Nigeria, including expansion in Islamic banking, Sukuk issuances, Takaful insurance, and non-interest capital market products.

He stressed that the adoption of AAOIFI standards would ensure consistency, reliability, and global comparability in financial reporting for the sector.

“This sector has become a dynamic contributor to financial inclusion, infrastructure financing, and ethical investment alternatives. Integrating AAOIFI standards is both a regulatory necessity and a strategic step toward building trust and transparency in our financial system,” Olowo said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the President’s Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, welcomed the move, emphasizing that Islamic finance is grounded in ethics, fairness, and shared prosperity.

Speaking at the conference, Muhammadu Sanusi II, 14th Emir of Kano and former Central Bank governor, praised the sector’s growth.

“Islamic financing primarily invests in real assets like roads, power plants, water systems, and digital networks. When applied effectively, it can significantly boost economic development,” Sanusi stated.

He further noted that Islamic finance is particularly suited for infrastructure projects, creating jobs and long-term value while promoting economic stability.

The FRC’s adoption of AAOIFI standards complements existing IFRS practices, providing a dedicated framework for the unique contracts and instruments used in Islamic finance. Officials say the move will strengthen transparency, support financial inclusion, and ensure that Nigeria’s Islamic finance sector continues to play a meaningful role in economic growth.

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The Oyo State Government has announced plans to introduce a digital system for building and survey plan approvals.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed this during a meeting with zonal directors of town planning offices across the state.

According to him, the new system is designed to make approvals more transparent and traceable, reducing leakages and irregularities associated with the previous manual process.

“The new digital plan approval system will be fully automated and include security features such as barcodes to validate every approved document,” Akin-Funmilayo said. “This will ensure efficiency and curb corruption in town planning operations.”

The commissioner also instructed enforcement and monitoring teams to clamp down on developers or individuals who violate planning regulations. He assured residents that the system will allow building approvals to be processed remotely, saving time and eliminating the need for intermediaries.

The state government previously conducted a 60-day online building permit amnesty programme in 2024, aimed at regularising unapproved structures and processing new approvals.

Akin-Funmilayo urged property owners to fully cooperate with the new digital initiative, which the government said is designed to be user-friendly and corruption-free.

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other federal agencies have revealed that there is no clear evidence that local government allocations from the Federation Account get to the councils directly.

The agencies made this known during a workshop on the Local Government Accountability Framework (LGAF) held in Jos, Plateau State, for local government chairmen.

The event was organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

The ICPC Executive Secretary, Clifford Oparaodu, said that despite the Supreme Court ruling granting full autonomy to local governments, there is still no system to verify what each council receives.

He noted that most allocations are channelled through state joint accounts, making it difficult for councils to know or plan with their actual funds.

He added that this lack of transparency undermines development and accountability at the grassroots level.

Other speakers, including the RoLAC Programme Manager, Emmanuel Uche, and LGAF Coordinator, Umar Yakubu, also said that democracy cannot grow without openness and accountability in the use of public funds.

They called on citizens to demand transparency and for local governments to be given full control of their allocations to improve schools, healthcare, and infrastructure in rural communities.

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The Edo State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Yakubu Musa, has pledged the state government’s commitment to restoring transparency, order, and fairness in land administration and housing development across the state.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Benin City during his first day in office, Musa, one of the newly sworn-in commissioners, said his administration would implement people-focused policies that would project Edo State as a model in land and housing reform.

“In my assumption of office today, I align fully with the visionary land and housing reform policy of Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, whose administration is deeply committed to restoring transparency, order, and fairness in land administration and housing development across the state,” Musa said.

He described the Ministry of Lands and Housing as central to the governor’s development agenda, adding that due process, digital transformation, and accountability would guide all land and housing activities.

“This ministry, being dear to the governor’s heart, stands as a vital pillar in his developmental agenda. We are ready to actualize his vision by ensuring that due process guides all land allocations, the digitization of land records is accelerated, housing delivery is expanded, and every transaction is rooted in accountability and public interest,” he said.

Musa explained that the state’s housing policy would align with Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which focuses on Social Welfare, Housing, Infrastructure, and Economic Growth.

He added that the government would promote affordable and accessible housing projects that meet the needs of Edo citizens through partnerships with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also said the Ministry would embark on urban renewal projects designed to enhance community development, improve living standards, and advance the governor’s vision for a modern and inclusive Edo State.

“Our focus remains on translating the Governor’s policies into tangible results that will improve the daily lives of our people,” Musa stated.

He assured that his leadership would tackle bottlenecks and irregularities in land and housing administration, making the ministry a driver of economic growth, urban renewal, and social harmony.

“With the necessary cooperation from stakeholders, the era of inaccessibility, bottlenecks, and irregularities in land and housing will soon be a thing of the past,” he added.

Musa reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that land and housing reforms in Edo State reflect transparency, efficiency, and people-centered governance under Governor Okpebholo’s administration.

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The Senate has renewed its call for transparency and strict adherence to due process in Nigeria’s public procurement system, insisting that every government expenditure must yield measurable results.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), made this known at a two-day retreat for committee members in Abuja.

He said public procurement is central to translating government policies into real development outcomes and must therefore uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

While acknowledging progress made through the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the Bureau of Public Procurement, Ipinsagba said deeper reforms were needed to strengthen compliance and efficiency.

He urged stakeholders to align Nigeria’s procurement practices with global standards and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Earlier, Barrister Kelechi Kingsley, CEO of Leadbold Resource Consulting Ltd, said the retreat was designed to enhance the committee’s capacity in oversight and ensure value for money in public spending.

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Real estate professionals have called for urgent reforms to rebuild public trust, strengthen ethics, and align Nigeria’s property market with global standards.

This was the focus at the 7th Real Estate Summit of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos Branch, held on Tuesday with the theme “Building Trust and Driving Excellence in Real Estate Practice.”

NIESV Lagos Chairman, Tosin Kadiri, said trust remains the foundation of a stable market. “Real estate is not just about land or buildings—it’s about people’s homes and investments,” he said, urging practitioners to uphold transparency, integrity, and due diligence.

Former NIESV President Emeka Eleh noted that the sector’s problem is not the lack of standards but weak adherence to them. He called for better data management, stronger regulation, and the use of technology to modernize land administration.

Keynote speaker Yemi Ejidiran, former MD of Wemabod Limited, stressed that credible valuation is essential to restoring confidence. “Valuation is not just figures; it’s about accountability,” he said, calling for standardization and ethical compliance.

Lagos Land Bureau’s Permanent Secretary, Kamar Olowoshago, praised NIESV for promoting professionalism, saying the summit helps shape the sector’s future through shared insights and innovation.

The two-day event featured panel discussions on ethical reform, sustainable housing, and innovative financing in Nigeria’s real estate industry.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Assembly to release full details of the planned ₦37 billion renovation of its complex.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/51/2022. The case was filed by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) through its lawyer, Seidu Mohammed.

The court directed the National Assembly to provide the original proposal and assessment reports, the procedure used to reach the ₦37bn estimate, the actual amount approved and allocated, and records of funds already disbursed.

Justice Nwite ruled that the requested information falls under the Freedom of Information Act. He noted that the National Assembly had no legal basis to deny access.

“The information is simple and harmless. When an institution like the respondent refuses to release it, the aim of the Act is defeated. Such denial encourages corruption and financial recklessness,” the judge said.

HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, welcomed the ruling on Sunday. He described it as a major step towards accountability in public projects.

“This judgment affirms the right of citizens to demand details of government spending. We expect the National Assembly to comply fully with the order,” Suraju said.

HEDA urged the National Assembly to obey the ruling without delay. The group also called on civil society, the media, and other stakeholders to demand transparency across all public institutions.

According to Suraju, silence in the face of financial secrecy only deepens corruption and mismanagement.

The ruling sets a strong precedent. It confirms that Nigerians have the right to know how public funds are allocated and spent. It also strengthens the fight against corruption by ensuring greater transparency in government projects.

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During a roundtable discussion in Abuja on police reforms and financial accountability, the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), led by Executive Director Ezenwa Nwagwu, announced the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. The aim: to compel the police hierarchy to explain reported inconsistencies surrounding multiple recent expenditures.

Nwagwu emphasized that the call is not an indictment but a demand for openness on issues that affect national security and public trust.

“Available reports suggest that these contracts, especially the uniform deal, may have bypassed proper channels. We are simply asking for clarity,” Nwagwu stated.

He referenced reports alleging that a ₦6 billion uniform contract approved in January via internal police memo—was fragmented into 66 smaller contracts, each purportedly awarded to the same company, Crown Natures Nigeria Plc. The alleged maneuvering placed each deal just below the procurement ceiling to avoid oversight, despite an existing ₦7.34 billion budget provision for uniforms in 2024.

CSOs also raised concerns over renovation and redevelopment deals involving major police barracks in Garki, Jabi, Falomo, and Bompai, seeking answers on whether proper procedures were followed and whether any conflicts of interest exist.

Nwagwu stressed that these concerns reflect the urgency of ensuring that limited public resources are used judiciously, especially in the security sector where equipment shortages remain a key challenge.

Beyond the FOI request, the coalition confirmed that it had submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), urging a full probe into the matter.

“True reform requires transparency. We believe accountability will help strengthen—not weaken—the police force,” Nwagwu added.

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