Nigeria’s Progress Depends On Civil Servants Resisting Political Pressure — Faleke

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, James Faleke, has said Nigeria’s rapid development is largely dependent on the ability of civil servants to maintain integrity and resist undue political pressure in the discharge of their duties.

Faleke made this assertion in Abuja on Sunday evening during the launch of a book titled “The Nigerian Legislature: A Practical Guide for Lawmakers”, authored by the retiring Clerk of the House Committee on Finance, Oscar Okoro, to mark his 60th birthday and retirement from public service.

According to him, the civil service remains the backbone of governance in Nigeria, serving as the technical engine that ensures government policies and programmes are properly implemented in line with established rules and procedures.

He explained that while political office holders provide direction and policy leadership, it is the civil servants who translate those policies into actionable programmes that directly impact citizens.

“The civil service mainly builds the country. They are the technocrats. They are the people that we politicians rely on,” Faleke said.

He stressed that Nigeria would achieve better governance outcomes if civil servants consistently insisted on following due process, even when pressured by politicians to take shortcuts.

“And if the civil servant decides to get this done properly, I think the country will be better off. Even when the politician says, let us do it the other way, and he says no, let us follow the rules, I think Nigeria will be better off,” he added.

Faleke further noted that dedication to national development requires a strong sense of patriotism and commitment to institutional integrity, rather than personal or political interests.

He also praised Oscar Okoro, the retiring clerk, describing him as a disciplined and hardworking public servant whose career reflects the values needed in the civil service.

Other speakers at the event, including lawmakers and legislative officials, also commended Okoro’s professionalism, describing him as a model for younger public servants.

The event, which attracted lawmakers, academics, and senior legislative staff, also featured a review of Okoro’s book, which provides a detailed guide to legislative practice in Nigeria.