Tinubu Orders Public Complaints Commission To Go Digital For Transparency And Efficiency

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to embrace full digital transformation to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement in governance.

Speaking at the 2025 Global Ombudsman Summit and the 50th anniversary celebration of the Commission in Abuja, themed “Effective Ombudsman Institution: Catalyst for Good Governance,” President Tinubu, represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, emphasized the need for the Commission to evolve with modern governance realities.

He noted that the PCC was established to shield citizens from administrative injustice, adding that its relevance has become even more critical in an era where transparency, accountability, and ethical governance are paramount. According to him, the ombudsman serves as an independent and accessible channel for redress outside the conventional court system.

“The Commission must evolve into a digital ombudsman capable of real-time complaint tracking, data analysis for policy formulation, and seamless collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies,” Tinubu said. He further assured that the Federal Government would address the Commission’s funding challenges and strengthen the capacity of its workforce to ensure optimal service delivery.

The Chief Commissioner of the PCC, Hon. Bashir Abubakar, underscored the significance of technology in modernising the institution. He explained that an online complaints portal would enable citizens to report grievances from any location, while automated case tracking and reporting would foster efficiency and provide crucial data for identifying systemic administrative lapses.

“Technology is a driver of transparency, accessibility, and accountability. It ensures the ombudsman remains relevant in the digital era,” Abubakar stated, urging collective efforts toward building a system where administrative justice is a right, not a privilege.

Also speaking virtually, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who initiated the establishment of the PCC in 1975, commended its contributions to administrative reform and governance. He urged the Commission to remain steadfast in amplifying citizens’ voices and promoting accountability across all sectors.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also addressed the summit virtually, reminded the Commission of its founding principles, noting that it was created as a bold and visionary institution to empower citizens to express grievances without fear. He stressed that public officers must remember they are servants of the people, and no one should be above the law.

In his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, highlighted the productive collaboration between traditional institutions and the PCC. He disclosed that the Zazzau Emirate had successfully resolved over 2,000 cases through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, helping to reduce the burden on the courts. He expressed optimism that deeper collaboration with the PCC would further enhance justice delivery at the grassroots.

According to Ireporter Online, the summit reaffirmed the importance of a technologically driven ombudsman system as a cornerstone of good governance and citizens’ trust in public administration.