Sunday Ehigiator The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has launched a Strategic Communications and Institutional Reform Initiative aimed at repositioning the commission for greater transparency, accountability and public trust in Nigeria’s fiscal governance. Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, speaking at a breakfast session with members of the Guild of Editors over the weekend, said the initiative marked a major shift in the way RMAFC would communicate and discharge its constitutional responsibilities. “It is with a profound sense of responsibility and commitment to our constitutional mandate that I formally launch today the Institutional Reform and Strategic Communications Initiative of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission,” he said.According to him, the initiative was “not merely a communication adjustment, but a structural repositioning of the Commission to better serve the Nigerian federation in an era that demands greater transparency, accountability, and public trust.”The Chairman said RMAFC occupied “a unique and strategic place in our national governance architecture,” given its constitutional responsibility to monitor revenue accruals into the Federation Account, advise on revenue allocation formulas and oversee remuneration for public office holders.“Every month, as revenues are shared among the federal, state, and local governments, the work of this commission directly influences national stability, development equity, and intergovernmental harmony.”However, he expressed concern that the public did not sufficiently understand the commission’s mandate.“Yet, despite this pivotal role, public understanding of our mandate remains limited. Too often, the Commission’s work is perceived as technical, distant, or misunderstood.“In today’s democratic environment, that is no longer sufficient. Transparency must not only be practiced, it must also be communicated clearly.”The Chairman said the reform was coming at a critical period for Nigeria’s fiscal system, with revenue volatility, increasing demands for accountability and the need for greater predictability in revenue allocation.“Nigeria is at a defining fiscal moment. Revenue volatility requires stronger monitoring. Citizens demand accountability in public finance. States seek fairness and predictability. The media demands clarity and speed of information.”He warned that the Commission could no longer afford to remain largely silent in the public space.“In this evolving environment, institutional silence can easily be mistaken for institutional weakness. We must therefore transition from a posture of quiet oversight to one of visible, responsible leadership,” he said.The reform, which is anchored on the Strategic Communications Blueprint 2026–2030, will focus on five core areas: institutional clarity, transparency through technology, structured media engagement, thought leadership in fiscal federalism, and internal alignment and professional excellence.On institutional clarity, the Chairman said RMAFC would make its mandate clearer to Nigerians.“We will clearly articulate who we are, what we do, and what we are not. RMAFC is not a revenue-generating agency. We are the constitutional custodians of revenue fairness and fiscal equity,” he said.On technology, he said the Commission would modernise its digital platforms and improve access to revenue allocation information.“We will modernize our digital platforms, introduce accessible revenue allocation dashboards, and strengthen data accessibility so that Nigerians can better understand how resources are distributed,” he said.The Commission will also institutionalise regular engagement with the media through quarterly briefings, policy explainers and proactive communication.“We will institutionalize quarterly briefings, policy explainers, and proactive media engagement to ensure accurate public understanding of allocation processes and sundry issues.”He said the Commission would also become more prominent in national conversations on fiscal federalism.“RMAFC will play a more visible role in shaping national conversations around revenue diversification, allocation reform, and remuneration governance.”On internal reforms, he said: “Reform begins within. Our commissioners and staff will operate under unified messaging standards, strengthened operational discipline, and enhanced performance transparency.”Shehu also sought to dispel concerns that the new communications strategy could compromise the Commission’s neutrality.“Let me be clear: this initiative does not politicize the Commission. On the contrary, it reinforces our constitutional neutrality,” he said.He stressed that RMAFC’s communication would remain guided by its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.“Every communication under this reform will be anchored strictly within the provisions of the Constitution and our statutory mandate. Our loyalty
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
