Former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has expressed regret over her failure to institutionalize the whistleblower policy during her tenure.
Recall that the Federal Government introduced the policy in December 2016 as part of its initiatives to combat corruption.
Adeosun, who served as finance minister from 2015 to 2018, noted that the policy eventually lost momentum because she failed to provide it with the necessary legal backing.
The former minister made these remarks while serving as the keynote speaker at the second edition of the Citadel School of Government (CSG) Dialogue series on Saturday in Lagos.
Delivering a speech titled “The Rough Road to Reforms: The Risks, the Resistance, the Reprisals, and the Resilient Leader,” Adeosun stated that while the whistleblower policy remained one of late President Muhammadu Buhari’s successful initiatives, government policies without legal backing are easily jettisoned.
She emphasized that policies with statutory support become difficult for subsequent administrations to change, even if they dislike them.
She added that reformers in leadership often face institutional resistance and must find strategic ways to overcome such obstacles.
Addressing the issue of corruption, Adeosun remarked that it is not peculiar to Nigeria but exists globally.
She argued that Nigeria simply needs to build strong institutions to correct human behavior and stamp out the vice.
Also speaking at the event, Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, lauded Adeosun for her continued contributions to Nigeria despite the challenges she has faced.
He described her as a leader who made the nation proud, noting it was highly commendable that no stolen funds or unexplained assets were traced to her during her time as minister.
The Executive Director of the CSG, Mr. Omoaholo Omoakhalen, added that the dialogue series was designed to allow experienced public servants to share insights that could aid current and emerging leaders in implementing necessary reforms.
