No doubt, the over-arching need to reform the Nigerian Civil Service for general efficiency was long tardy. Apart from being largely over-bloated, the service known as a hub for administrative dexterity and excellence over the years is now a shadow of itself. It has become a centre for mediocrity known for promoting nepotism. To make matters worse various policies of government leading to duplication of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have further pushed the cost of governance to all time high. The time-tested rules guiding the service was recklessly circumvented and the worse eventually took the shine off the system. For the above reasons and more, former President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies to streamline the operations of MDAs in 2012. Stephen Oronsaye, the then Head of Service of the federation was appointed head of the committee.
The terms of reference included: (a) study and review all previous reports and records on the restructuring of Federal Parastatals and advise on whether they were still relevant; (b) examine the enabling Acts of all the Federal Agencies, Parastatals and Commissions and classify them into various sectors; (c) examine critically, the mandate of the existing Federal Agencies, Parastatals and Commissions and determine areas of overlap or duplication of functions and make appropriate recommendations to either restructure, merge or scrap some to eliminate such overlaps, duplications or redundancies; and (d) advise on any other matter incidental to the foregoing which might be relevant to the desire of Government to prune down the cost of governance.
Expectedly, the committee's 800-page report recommended the scrapping of some agencies and merger of 220 out of the then-existing 541 government parastatals. This means that if the report was implemented then, more than 100 heads and many staff of agencies and parastatals would have lost their jobs. It also recommended the reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 161 as well as the abolition of 38 agencies, the merger of 52 and the reversion of 14 to departments in ministries. The document proposed the audit of 89 agencies with biometric capture of staff as well as cessation of government funding of professional bodies and councils.
The report revealed that government would save over N862 billion between 2012 and 2015 when implemented. The above expected savings is tied to the combined allocation accruable to agencies penciled down for scrapping or merger. At the end, a white paper committee set up afterwards by Jonathan’s administration rejected most of the recommendations, while those accepted were not even implemented. It seemed Goodluck Jonathan intentionally kept the report in view as a result of the public outcry against it and the backlash it could generate if fully implemented. Muhammadu Buhari never remembered such a report existed. He carefully shied away from implementing the recommendations considering the adverse effect it will bring to bear on the society.
The federal civil service is the key driver of the overall policy actions of government. And a productive civil service is the administrative pride of every nation. However, the resurrection of Oronsanye's report as a measure for cutting down the cost of governance does not seem to be the best of decisions. There is every need for cautious optimism on the side of government before implementation of the committee's report. In fact, government should step down the implementation of the report. The nation cannot tolerate any further adverse policies and reforms that will compound the woes of citizens. More emphasis should be laid on promoting the culture of merit, hard work, discipline, transparency, professionalism and good work ethics to achieve the envisaged results. One recurring decimal which halted the implementation of the report by previous administrations was the constant feature of job loss.
Any reforms mostly targeted at rationalisation of the staff serves no better purpose. In fact, majority of Nigerians saw the Oronsaye's Committee as one primarily constituted to find reasons to lay off staff in the federal civil service. The priority of government at this critical juncture should be to focus on creating jobs and a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Labour unions, civil society groups and well meaning Nigerians had kicked and are kicking against implementation of the report citing the same negative effects of jobs loss that comes with it.
Before moving on with administering this bitter pill which will throw more Nigerians into poverty and misery, it is hoped that this burning issue of job loss will be addressed accordingly. Government is also challenged to pay living wage and stabilise the ailing economy. Majority of Nigerians are battling to survive the adverse effects of high cost of living occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, electricity tariff review, hasty and externally induced implementation of monetary and fiscal policies. Therefore, disengaging those already working in the name of reform when there is obvious high unemployment rate in the country is insensitive.
The private sector is already in troubled waters. According to reports, more than 15 multinational companies have left Nigeria on account of poor ease of doing business and rising cost of production. The Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) has also reported that about 767 manufacturing companies shut down operations while 335 experienced distress in 2023. This goes with the attendant consequence of job loss. The negative effect this brings to bear on the entire society is better imagined than experienced. The amount of money government hopes to save going forward with the report is nothing compare to the pain this implementation will inflict on the society and discontent it will generate. The uncommon patience of Nigerians should not be taken for granted.
Government whose responsibility it is to find solutions to the economic quagmire should not stoke the fire of disengaging staff in any guise with its hands. If government is serious about good governance, fiscal discipline and onslaught against corruption, it has to begin with the president and other top government officials. Honest and deliberate plans to stem the tide of endemic corruption in the federal civil service should top the agenda of reforms. Lack of discipline, hard work and integrity which has become the bane of civil service should be reformed.
Almost, if not all the MDAs were established by Act of the National Assembly, therefore, it is pertinent to confer with the Assembly for legislative action if need be before implementation to achieve the desired result and for better consensus building. The minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi who leads the implementation team should critically reflect on the general societal dislocation this implementation will throw up and the ripple effect on citizenry.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze is a Media and Development Communication Specialist. He writes via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and can be reached on 08060901201