”A public office is a public trust; and its holders are but trustees for the benefit of the people,” declared Grover Cleveland. John F. Kennedy noted that “No responsibility of government is more fundamental than the responsibility of maintaining the highest standards of ethical behaviour by those who conduct the public business.” From these perspectives, one can infer that the ethical boundary between private benefit and public duty is the thin line upon which the integrity of a nation teeters. Let’s reflect on the pervasive and often overlooked presence of potential conflict of interest within the corridors of government power.
Do you know that in many successful global organizations, the deliberate prevention of conflict of interest is considered a non-negotiable hallmark of sustainability, yet in the Nigerian public sector, this boundary often appears dangerously blurred? This ethical friction occurs when an individual’s personal interests — whether financial, political, religious, familial, or social — clash with their professional duties, potentially compromising the objectivity and loyalty required to serve the collective good. In the Nigerian context, it is not uncommon to see the deployment of government resources for what appears to be purely personal use, or the visible presence of a leader’s family members within the official architecture of the state. It is not rare to witness the use of government insignia on paid advertisements celebrating personal milestones like birthdays or the use of government media for such private celebrations. Imagine the unsettling sight of government contractors doubling as campaigners or financiers for reelection of those in power or undue favours accorded to the family members of those in power. This normalization of what should potentially be a clear conflict of interest extends to the public sector’s recruitment and procurement processes, where it may not be strange to hear those in power publicly boast about influencing employment based on ethnic ties or to see party faithfuls awarded lucrative contracts without competitive bidding process. Such practices effectively turn the state into a private enterprise, where the “national cake” is sliced not by merit or necessity, but by the proximity of one’s personal relationship to the wielder of the seal.
So, enhance your capacity to distinguish between the official duties of a public servant and their private persona, demanding a clear separation that protects the treasury from individual ambition. To build a nation anchored on equity, we must collectively kick against the use of state resources to promote personal agendas, ensuring that public institutions are never converted into tools for familial or political advancement. This requires a shift in our civic culture where we stop applauding the “influence” used to secure jobs for kinsmen and instead demand a merit-based system that offers equal opportunity to every citizen regardless of their background. We must advocate for strict enforcement of codes of conduct that prohibit the use of government assets for private festivities and prevent the awarding of contracts to “loyalists” whose major qualification is their political affiliation. By insisting on transparency in procurement and recruitment, you help dismantle the patronage networks that have long stifled Nigeria’s economic growth and social cohesion. It is only when we begin to view public office as a sacred trust rather than a personal inheritance that we can foster the objectivity needed to solve our nation’s most pressing infrastructure and development challenges.
As you step out each day, carry the conviction that true patriotism involves holding those in power to the highest standards of ethical accountability. By refusing to normalize the overlap of private interest and public duty, you contribute to the foundation of a society where fairness is a right rather than a favour. May your commitment to institutional integrity be the standard that transforms our governance from a system of personal gain into a legacy of national service.
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Esang Esitikot, a chemical engineer, is a professor of occupational health and safety. He is a public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, and a volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
