Rebuilding Public Trust Through Ethical Governance and Transparency: A Mixed-Methods Study of Nigerian Federal Ministries and Implications for Health Service Delivery

  • Yakubu Joel Cherima Department of Policy and Strategic Studies, University of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
  • Uchenna Stephen Nwokenna Department of Policy and Strategic Studies, University of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
  • Rejoice Kaka Hassan Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
  • Eziyi Iche Kalu Department of Medical Microbiology, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
  • Agwu Nkwa Amadi Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
  • Faith Adamma Kalu Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
  • Perfection Chinyere Igwe Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
  • Justin Junior Kalu Department of Community Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria
  • Beauty Olamma Kalu Department of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria
  • Ugo Uwadiako Enebeli Department of Community Medicine, Rhema University, Aba-Owerri Road, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
Keywords: Public trust, institutional ethics, transparency, anti-corruption, Nigeria, governance reform

Abstract

Background: The persistent public distrust in Nigerian federal institutions stems from entrenched corruption, fragmented ethical standards, and non-transparent governance, which erode legitimacy and policy compliance despite reforms like the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. This study assessed ethics and transparency in federal ministries to propose a framework for enhancing ethical leadership and accountability.

Methods: We used a mixed methods design which involved policy/institutional audits and surveys (n=200 civil servants) across five key federal ministries (Finance, Health, Education, Works and Housing, and Humanitarian Affairs) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Quantitative data on ethical perceptions, corruption prevalence, and transparency effectiveness were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative key informant interviews and document reviews enabled thematic analysis.

Results: Ethics codes were highly recognized by the participants (mean=4.01/5), but enforcement (3.40), reporting (3.20), and integrity offices (3.08) scored moderately. Corruption was perceived as widespread (4.12/5), with low rewards for ethics (2.80) and reporting efficacy (2.55). Transparency mechanisms (financial disclosure=3.35; public access=3.10; procurement=2.90) were moderate, with political interference (4.5/5) and fragmented coordination (4.3/5) as top challenges; a strong correlation linked ethics infrastructure to public trust (r=0.715, p<0.01).

Conclusions: Ethics and transparency in Nigerian ministries remain weakly enforced and undermine public trust, and robust ethical systems correlate strongly with public trust. We propose a Public Integrity and Transparency Framework (PITF) that integrates digital dashboards, leadership audits, ethics curricula, and incentive-linked benchmarking into a practical model that embeds value-driven accountability. The PITF will inform governance reforms for sustainable trust restoration.

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The European Scientific Journal (ESJ) ongoing call for papers
Published
2026-02-10
How to Cite
Cherima, Y. J., Nwokenna, U. S., Hassan, R. K., Kalu, E. I., Amadi, A. N., Kalu, F. A., Igwe, P. C., Kalu, J. J., Kalu, B. O., & Enebeli, U. U. (2026). Rebuilding Public Trust Through Ethical Governance and Transparency: A Mixed-Methods Study of Nigerian Federal Ministries and Implications for Health Service Delivery. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 50, 36. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/20627
Issue
Vol 50 (2026): ESI Preprints
Section
ESI Preprints

Copyright (c) 2026 Yakubu Joel Cherima, Uchenna Stephen Nwokenna, Rejoice Kaka Hassan, Eziyi Iche Kalu, Agwu Nkwa Amadi, Faith Adamma Kalu, Perfection Chinyere Igwe, Justin Junior Kalu, Beauty Olamma Kalu, Ugo Uwadiako Enebeli

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