By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja

In the corridors of power, where promises echo louder than actions, Nigeria stands at a pivotal juncture. The Oronsaye report, a beacon of hope for a leaner and more efficient government, holds the nation’s gaze. Yet, beneath the surface, scepticism and challenges loom large, casting shadows on the path to reform.

In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan entrusted Stephen Oronsaye with a mission—to untangle the bureaucratic web strangling Nigeria’s governance. The resulting 800-page report, submitted in 2012, proposed a radical restructuring, slashing agencies, merging functions, and promising annual savings of N862 billion. Fast forward to 2024, President Bola Tinubu greenlights the report’s implementation, heralding an era of change.

History whispers caution—Etim, Legal Expert

However, Barrister Patrick Etim, Managing Partner at Rayfield Associates (Legal Practitioners), offers a note of caution from history.

According to him, the unfulfilled promises of the past echo through the corridors of power, casting doubt on the sincerity of current announcements

He said, “I believe we must consider past events. The burden of proof lies with the President to refute my claim. This is not the first time we’ve heard promises about implementing the Oronsaye report.

“During President Jonathan’s tenure, he ordered the adoption of the Oronsaye report and there was fanfare surrounding the adoption of the white paper on the Oronsaye report, yet nothing materialized.

“On April 30, 2020, President Buhari was reported to have approved the report’s implementation. Yet, by the end of his tenure in 2023, nothing had been done. Here we are again, with the President making the same announcement, and everyone is hopeful for implementation this time.

“However, I suspect it was more of a distraction, given the plethora of negative sentiments against the presidency at the time. We were facing proposed strikes by the NLC, citizen uprisings due to hardship, and an exchange rate nearing 2000 naira to the dollar.

“The government needed to offer the citizens a new topic of discussion, hence the re-emergence of talks on the Oronsaye report. But how can you implement the Oronsaye report when there are simultaneous efforts to create more agencies? It seems destined to end in smoke and mirrors. Given past experiences, my strategy is to adopt a wait-and-see approach.

“Moreover, there’s the issue of agency bloat. If the plan is to merge agencies, will it simply combine them with their already inflated staff numbers? Take, for instance, the hypothetical merger of the Pension Transition Directorate (PTAD) employees with the Ministry of Finance, which already has its full complement of staff, including directors. A merger like this doesn’t reduce bloat; it exacerbates it. The real challenge is to streamline these agencies effectively. If that isn’t accomplished, then we haven’t made any progress at all.

“So, first and foremost, it’s not just a matter of managing them; it’s more complex. If you take those 300 people and add them to the Minister of Finance’s team, you are essentially bloating it once again. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. If you cannot do that they have not achieved anything.”

True cost-cutting is not just lip service —Deji Adeyanju

In the rich tapestry of public opinion, the voice of rights activist Comrade Deji Adeyanju stands out. He calls for significant reductions in overhead costs, adding a critical perspective to the current discourse.
Furthermore, he raises concerns about the practicality of organizational mergers without first addressing the pervasive issue of agency bloat—an important yet frequently neglected problem.

Adeyanju commented: “Yes, indeed, implementing the Oronsaye report is a positive step. However, the full implementation of such policies is another matter altogether. For instance, several agencies, such as the EFCC, need to be consolidated with the ICPC and NFIU to streamline operations. Additionally, numerous redundant ministries should be dissolved as they contribute little to no value. If one examines the budget, it becomes evident that some entities are merely duplicating efforts, which is wasteful.

“Interactions with individuals within these agencies reveal a lack of substantive work; they are simply going through the motions. Furthermore, the concept of a ‘blue economy’ and the existence of multiple ministers for overlapping functions is questionable. A singular Minister of Transport, for example, could oversee various agencies, thereby reducing redundancy.

“The Ministry of Petroleum could also be restructured to enhance efficiency. The President should reassess the necessity of maintaining nearly 200 aides, which seems excessive and contributes to the bloated nature of the government. A directive should be issued to prevent the government from funding aides for senators or members of the House of Representatives. This cost-cutting measure should extend beyond ministries to encompass the judiciary and legislature as well.

“With Nigeria facing financial challenges, spending must be curtailed. Merging ministries is not solely about announcement; it should result in tangible reductions in overhead costs. Large, unused buildings should be repurposed through public-private partnerships to generate government revenue, perhaps as hotels.

“True cost-cutting is not just lip service; it must lead to a substantial decrease in governance expenses. Ministries like Agriculture should be prioritized to boost local production and exports. The Ministry of Aviation should be made highly effective, similar to how airlines like Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates benefit their respective countries through substantial foreign exchange earnings.

“Well, honestly, I believe the political will exists. However, whether it’s sufficient is another matter altogether. I don’t think merely having the political will is adequate to see reforms through. Even if there are commitments made, simply stating “let us do this” is not enough. For instance, two days later, he proceeds to Lagos with nearly a hundred-car convoy in response to his pronouncement, then plans to travel to Qatar with another large contingent. This highlights my point that while the political will may exist, whether it’s adequate for implementing reforms is questionable.

“The National Assembly, often perceived as a ‘rubber stamp’, should exercise its duty to amend laws that facilitate cost reduction in the interest of public safety, public good, and the general welfare of the populace. Such steps are crucial to prevent the nation from financial collapse and to ensure responsible fiscal management.”

Rafsanjani cautions against hasty implementation

Echoing Adeyanju’s sentiments, Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), as well as the Head of Transparency International in Nigeria and the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Amnesty International Nigeria, applauded the report’s revival but cautioned against its hasty implementation.

He underscored the constitutional complexities involved, stressed the necessity of legislative engagement, and pointed out the current lack of a dedicated policy think tank.

Auwal Rafsanjani stated: “First and foremost, I believe it’s a positive development that the committee has completed its work and submitted its report, especially considering it took 12 years—a significant public task with considerable financial resources allocated to generate these reports. Yet, successive governments, including the one that commissioned the committee, have failed to act upon its findings. Thus, it’s encouraging to see the current government showing interest in utilizing the report.

“However, there are concerns regarding how President Tinubu is approaching this implementation. We may be facing breaches of legal and constitutional matters, as some of the agencies involved are creations of law, the Constitution, or legislative frameworks. Implementing this report requires certain constitutional amendments, as well as legislative changes. The legislature needs to either legislate these changes, repeal certain agencies, or harmonize them. Unfortunately, President Tinubu’s directive to implement the report within two months overlooks the fact that the process is not within the presidency’s sole purview but also involves the National Assembly and necessitates public consultation.

“For instance, the Code of Conduct is constitutionally established; you cannot simply issue a directive for it to be implemented or harmonized with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which are legislative creations, in such a brief timeframe.

“Beyond that, the hasty and sometimes superficial consideration of these issues by the current administration raises questions about the presence of a policy think tank within the government, which should provide the President with quality policy advice and assist in policy formulation. We’ve seen several statements issued without any policy foundation, like the abrupt removal of subsidies announced without a supporting policy, leading to national panic and complications.

“Additionally, the handling of the exchange rate issue lacked policy backing, resulting in an unfettered market that has led to the current economic situation. This points to a broader problem of policy direction and a lack of deliberate, thoughtful consideration in government programs and policies. The current administration’s inconsistency and policy flip-flops, particularly from the Central Bank, which issued contradictory policy stances within a single week, further exacerbate the situation.

“Such governance does not bode well for the nation, contributing to the confusion and mess we currently face due to a lack of careful policy analysis, formulation, and implementation. Pronouncements alone cannot alleviate the tangible suffering and hunger people are enduring. The government must ensure good governance, reduce the cost of governance, and address corruption to mitigate these issues. Regardless of official statements, they cannot remove the hunger from people’s tables, nor do they stop the unpredictable number of Nigerians being killed each day.

“Therefore, while the President’s pronouncements may seem to divert attention from the current predicaments, we must point out the flaws in this approach. It cannot be militaristic; there’s no difference between this and a military command. A two-month directive to implement a report that requires public and legislative consultation, as well as a constitutional amendment, is simply unfeasible.”

As Nigeria braces for change, these voices urge caution and thoroughness. The Oronsaye report, a potential catalyst for transformation, teeters on the edge of governance complexities.

The challenge isn’t merely about merging agencies; it’s about ensuring efficiency, addressing constitutional concerns, and sculpting a governance landscape that truly serves the people.

In the end, the Oronsaye Odyssey isn’t just a tale of restructuring; it’s a narrative that tests Nigeria’s commitment to true reform—a journey where the destination remains uncertain, but the need for change is undeniable.