The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has warned its staff against abuse of office, conflict of interest, favouritism and manipulation of official processes.
The commission said adherence to due process, transparency and accountability was critical to sustaining public confidence in the management of the country’s revenue.
The chairman of RMAFC, Muhammed Bello-Shehu, gave the warning in Kaduna while declaring open a five-day training for staff of the commission.
The training, organised by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), focuses on revenue integrity, institutional accountability, anti-corruption practices and effective internal controls.
Bello-Shehu, who was represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State, Ismail Mohammed-Agaka, said RMAFC’s constitutional responsibilities placed it at the centre of Nigeria’s fiscal governance.
He said the position required staff to demonstrate the highest level of integrity in the discharge of their official responsibilities.
The chairman urged the participants to uphold fairness, transparency and accountability, stressing that corruption went beyond bribery and outright misappropriation of public funds.
He said corruption could also manifest through deliberate violation of procedures, abuse of authority and actions capable of eroding public trust.
“The fight against corruption is not the responsibility of ACTU or ICPC alone. It is a personal and institutional responsibility,” he said.
Shehu urged the participants to make effective use of the training and apply the knowledge acquired in their respective areas of responsibility.
He said RMAFC officers must remain “persons above reproach”, adding that integrity should guide their decisions while accountability should define their actions.
Earlier, the Director of Audit and Chairman of ACTU, Dr Idris Yusuf Musa, said the training was part of efforts to institutionalise transparency and accountability within the commission.
Musa urged the participants to shun practices capable of undermining due process and the credibility of the commission.
“Our conduct must always justify the public trust reposed in us,” he said.
He commended the RMAFC management for supporting the programme and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for its partnership in promoting integrity in public service.
Nabila Abubakar, a participant and staff member of the Kaduna State Directorate of RMAFC, said the training had broadened her understanding of integrity and accountability in the workplace.
She said the knowledge gained would help staff identify and address abuse of office and other practices capable of compromising institutional integrity.
Another participant, Aminu Ibrahim Imam, a manager in the Audit Department and a chartered accountant, said accountability, transparency and integrity were essential to the effective operation of public institutions.
Imam said the principles were particularly important to RMAFC because of its responsibilities in revenue mobilisation, collection and promotion of fiscal efficiency.
He said their effective application would contribute to proper management of public resources and ensure value for money.
The training is being attended by staff from the commission’s headquarters and its North-West state offices.
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