The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) of Nigeria has intensified efforts to resolve outstanding complaints, with 562,296 cases remaining unresolved out of 1,281,984 recorded. This significant challenge prompted Chief Commissioner Bashir Abubakar to outline reforms since his inauguration on 24 September 2024. The PCC investigates maladministration, corruption, abuse of office, and related misconduct, protecting citizens' rights in dealings with public institutions and private-sector organisations.
Established in 1975, the PCC provides a channel for Nigerians to seek redress over administrative actions and omissions considered unjust or improper. Abubakar disclosed that the Commission had resolved 716,688 cases and embarked on wide-ranging administrative, financial, and operational reforms to improve effectiveness and service delivery. The reforms aim to strengthen the institutional capacity required to address complaints and improve responsiveness to the public.
To strengthen operations, the Commission created new directorates in response to the increasing volume of complaints, improved funding, and provided additional resources to its offices nationwide. The PCC proposed and recommended an increase of over 100 per cent in its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), leading to an improved budgetary allocation. Monthly allocations to state offices, including the Federal Capital Territory, were increased to strengthen operations and address complaints.
The Chief Commissioner said the Commission upgraded its information and communications technology facilities and improved its call centre to enhance communication with the public. An intensive publicity campaign was introduced to increase public awareness of the Commission's mandate and encourage Nigerians facing administrative injustice to seek redress. The PCC trained over 1,185 staff members in 2025 and recorded over 3,410 training participations in 2026.
The Commission conducted biometric verification across its offices nationwide to establish a verifiable staff nominal roll and improve workforce management. This exercise was part of efforts to establish a reliable personnel database and promote operational efficiency. The administration also took steps to improve workers' welfare and maintain industrial harmony, including implementing the full Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) in July 2026.
The PCC settled outstanding wage-award and promotion arrears for 2024 and 2025, promoting 1,070 employees in 2025 and 1,270 in 2026. The management maintained an open-door policy and engaged constructively with labour unions to promote cordial relations between management and staff. The Commission strengthened collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations, to facilitate quicker complaint resolution.
The PCC is scheduled to hold its first Nigerian Ombudsman Conference on 15 October 2026, themed "System Building and Compliance: Key Factors to Good Governance". The conference will examine the importance of effective systems and institutional compliance in achieving good governance. With 562,296 cases still outstanding, the Commission's ongoing reforms are expected to strengthen its operational capacity as it pursues its mandate of providing Nigerians with an avenue to seek redress against administrative injustice.
Key points
- The Public Complaints Commission has 562,296 unresolved complaints out of 1,281,984 recorded cases.
- The Commission has resolved 716,688 cases and embarked on reforms to improve effectiveness and service delivery.
- The PCC is set to hold its first Nigerian Ombudsman Conference to examine the importance of effective systems and institutional compliance in achieving good governance.
