The decision by President Bola Tinubu to fully implement the Oronsaye report in Nigeria reflects a significant move towards streamlining the country’s government agencies. The announcement, made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, after the Federal Executive Council meeting, indicates that several government agencies will be merged, subsumed, scrapped, or relocated based on the recommendations of the Oronsaye report.
The Oronsaye report originated during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2012, with the establishment of the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions, and Agencies. The committee, led by retired federal civil servant Stephen Oronsaye, conducted a thorough examination and recommended the scrapping and merging of 220 out of the then-existing 541 government agencies.
If fully implemented, the report could lead to significant changes, including the reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 161, abolition of 38 agencies, merger of 52, and reversion of 14 to departments in various ministries. The report also suggested a management audit of 89 agencies capturing biometric features of staff and discontinuation of government funding for professional bodies/councils.
The potential impact of the implementation includes substantial cost savings for the government, estimated at over N862 billion between 2012 and 2015. The breakdown of savings encompasses reductions from agencies proposed for abolition, mergers, professional bodies, universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and federal medical centers.
The implementation could affect several key agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and Federal Road Safety Commission. The report identified overlapping functions in agencies like the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited, National Broadcasting Commission, and Nigeria Communications Commission.
The report also recommended bringing under one body the Universal Basic Education Commission, Nomadic Education Commission, and National Mass Literacy Commission due to overlapping functions. It proposed that NTA, FRCN, and VON should be under one management.
It is important to note that previous attempts to implement the Oronsaye report faced challenges, with the White Paper committee set up by Jonathan’s administration rejecting most recommendations. The recent move by President Tinubu signifies a renewed effort to address inefficiencies and streamline government operations, emphasizing the need for collaboration with the National Assembly to achieve the desired results.
