Bureaucratic Bottleneck? Presidency’s Silence Deepens Uncertainty Over Oronsaye Report Execution

The approval, granted on February 26, 2024, aimed at reducing the cost of governance, yet the Federal Government has remained largely silent on the progress despite repeated inquiries. At the time of approval, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized that the move aligned with Tinubu’s commitment to governance reforms.

A committee, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, was tasked with implementing the report within 12 weeks. The committee included key officials such as the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, and other top government advisers, who were responsible for overseeing administrative restructuring and necessary legislative amendments.

Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Formulation, reiterated that the committee was mandated to streamline government agencies and implement the recommended reforms. She highlighted the significance of the presidential approval, describing it as a bold step toward efficiency.

Idris further clarified that the implementation process involved scrapping, merging, or restructuring various government agencies, with some reassigned to different ministries for better functionality.

“This administration, under Tinubu, has once again demonstrated its willingness to take bold and far-reaching decisions in the interest of Nigerians. The restructuring will enhance efficiency and ensure optimal performance of government institutions,” he stated.

Despite these assurances, Nigerians continue to await tangible progress, raising concerns over potential bureaucratic delays hindering the much-anticipated reforms.