UAC Roundtable Calls For Greater Professional Accountability, Specialised Sector Engagement
The United Action for Change (UAC) has called for stronger professional accountability, improved regulatory enforcement and greater public vigilance to curb negligence and improve the quality of service delivery across Nigeria.
The call was made at a Roundtable Discussion organised by UAC on Saturday, 26 September 2026, which brought together professionals, civil society actors and other stakeholders to examine the causes, consequences and prevention of professional negligence, according to a statement signed by Comrade Michael Popoola Ajayi, Secretary of the United Action for Change (UAC).
The Roundtable examined negligence from different perspectives, particularly administrative, construction and legal negligence, and highlighted the far-reaching consequences of professional failures on individuals, institutions and society.
Participants observed that negligence may manifest through unnecessary delays, poor communication, inadequate supervision, failure to follow established procedures, lack of professional competence, improper interference, weak accountability and failure to act when an abnormal or dangerous situation is identified.
ADMINISTRATIVE NEGLIGENCE
The Roundtable noted that administrators are critical gatekeepers within institutions because they control the movement of documents, approvals, information and official processes.
It observed that an avoidable administrative delay or failure to act could result in loss of opportunities, prolonged disputes, financial losses and, in extreme circumstances, threats to life.
The meeting therefore called for stronger administrative systems, proper documentation, effective communication, timely decision-making and clear mechanisms for holding responsible officers accountable.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING SAFETY
The Roundtable also expressed concern about negligence in the construction sector, particularly inadequate supervision, use of inappropriate materials, unauthorised alterations, engagement of unqualified persons and failure to obtain appropriate professional advice.
Participants stressed the importance of ensuring that appropriately qualified professionals are engaged at every stage of construction and that professionals operate within their areas of competence.
Community Development Associations and members of the public were also encouraged to report suspicious or potentially dangerous construction practices to the relevant authorities.
The meeting adopted the principle:
“If we see something, we should say something.”
LEGAL PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Roundtable further examined professional responsibility within the legal profession, including failure to meet deadlines, inadequate preparation, poor communication with clients, mishandling of documents or property, inadequate professional advice and failure to properly protect clients’ interests.
Participants stressed that legal practice requires not only knowledge of law but also practical understanding of the society and circumstances in which the law operates.
The Roundtable also recognised that responsibility for delays in the administration of justice may involve different actors within the justice system and encouraged all stakeholders to utilise appropriate lawful mechanisms for addressing unreasonable delays.
KEY RESOLUTIONS
At the end of the deliberations, the Roundtable resolved to:
Promote a stronger culture of professional integrity, responsibility and accountability.
Encourage institutions to strengthen administrative procedures, documentation, communication and monitoring systems.
Promote strict adherence to professional standards, laws, regulations and established procedures.
Encourage members of the public and community organisations to report dangerous, unethical or suspicious professional practices to the appropriate authorities.
Strengthen public awareness of the importance of engaging appropriately qualified professionals.
Encourage professional bodies to make Continuous Professional Development more practical and relevant to professional competence.
Promote early resolution of administrative and professional disputes before they escalate into prolonged litigation.
Encourage regulatory bodies to improve monitoring, inspection, enforcement and disciplinary mechanisms.
UAC TO HOLD SECTOR-SPECIFIC ROUNDTABLES
Following the revelations and practical experiences shared during the Roundtable, UAC resolved that future Roundtable Discussions will focus on specific professions and professional sectors.
The sector-specific engagements will bring together the full ecosystem of each profession, including professional regulatory bodies, professional associations, practising professionals, government agencies, employers, consumers and service users, civil society organisations, academia and other relevant stakeholders.
According to the Roundtable, this approach will enable UAC to examine each profession more deeply, identify sector-specific causes of negligence and regulatory gaps, and develop practical recommendations for improving professional standards, accountability and service delivery.
The Roundtable reaffirmed UAC’s commitment to providing a platform for constructive dialogue on issues affecting governance, professional standards, public welfare and institutional accountability.
The organisation stressed that professional responsibility should not be measured merely by whether a task has been completed, but also by how, when and according to what standards it was completed.
The Roundtable concluded with a call for professionals and citizens to promote a culture in which integrity, competence, diligence and accountability become fundamental requirements of responsible service.
