The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving ethical standards, discipline and accountability among its workforce.

The council said stronger adherence to public-service ethics is essential to maintaining institutional credibility and supporting its mandate to develop a competitive automotive industry in Nigeria.

The Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, made the commitment during a one-day sensitisation workshop on the Code of Ethics and Conduct in the Public Service held in Abuja.

The programme was organised by the council’s Reform Coordination/SERVICOM Unit in partnership with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).

Public office must be treated as a position of trust

Represented at the event by the Director of Vehicle Electrification, Ayinde Abdullahi, Osanipin said public servants have a responsibility to uphold integrity and ensure that official positions are not used for personal benefit.

He explained that the effectiveness of a public institution is closely linked to the discipline, professionalism and integrity of its employees.

According to him, NADDC’s responsibility to promote a globally competitive automotive sector requires not only technical expertise but also a workforce committed to responsible public service.

Staff urged to follow ethical principles

The NADDC boss identified several principles that should guide employees in carrying out their responsibilities.

These include integrity, transparency, accountability, professionalism, impartiality, fairness and avoidance of conflicts of interest.

He urged employees to ensure that personal interests do not influence their official decisions and to treat colleagues, stakeholders and members of the public fairly.

Osanipin also stressed that ethical conduct should not be regarded as the responsibility of management alone.

He said every member of staff, regardless of position or rank, has a role to play in protecting the reputation and credibility of the council.

CCB warns of consequences for violations

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr Abdullahi Bello, also encouraged public servants to comply with established ethical requirements.

Bello, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Akinfolarin Feyisola, commended NADDC for organising the sensitisation programme and said the CCB would continue working with government institutions to promote compliance.

He reminded public officers that failure to observe the relevant code of conduct could attract sanctions.

BPSR links ethics to institutional performance

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, identified ethics, accountability and professional conduct as important foundations for an effective public service.

He said institutional reforms should focus on building government agencies that are transparent, responsible and capable of delivering quality services.

Ethics seen as part of automotive industry development

The NADDC’s renewed emphasis on staff conduct comes as the council continues its wider mandate of developing Nigeria’s automotive industry through policy support, technical development, local content initiatives and industry standards.

The council maintains that achieving a globally competitive automotive sector requires not only infrastructure and technical skills but also a reliable institutional framework.

With the latest sensitisation programme, NADDC is seeking to reinforce the message that professionalism and ethical behaviour must accompany technical competence in the delivery of its responsibilities.

The council’s position is that stronger accountability within the institution can help build public confidence and support the effective implementation of policies aimed at expanding Nigeria’s automotive industry.

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