Nigeria at a Crossroads: Rethinking the Cost of Governance
Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its democratic journey. Despite its vast human capital and abundant natural resources, the nation continues to grapple with an expanding cost of governance that drains public funds and limits meaningful development. Bloated bureaucracies, overlapping agencies, and extravagant political structures have placed an unsustainable burden on citizens, widening the gap between government expenditure and public benefit.
In a policy intervention titled “Policy Pathways to Reduce Governance Costs and Empower Nigerian Citizens,” corporate litigator and policy analyst, Shuwa Gabriel Mohammed, Esq., calls for urgent reforms to reshape Nigeria’s governance architecture, reduce waste, and place citizens at the centre of public administration.
Cutting the Cost of Governance Through Institutional Reforms
A central plank of the proposal is institutional rationalisation. With over 900 federal agencies and parastatals operating across Nigeria, many with duplicated mandates, governance efficiency has been severely undermined. Mohammed references the long-standing Stephen Oronsaye Report of 2012, which recommended the merger and scrapping of redundant agencies, yet remains largely unimplemented.
According to him, meaningful reform requires decisive implementation of these recommendations, elimination of duplication, and a comprehensive audit of public sector wage structures. He stresses that right-sizing must prioritise productivity and performance, not political patronage, while rewarding merit and professionalism within the civil service.
Digital Governance as a Catalyst for Efficiency
The article identifies digital transformation as a powerful tool to reduce administrative costs and improve service delivery. By migrating from manual, paper-based systems to transparent digital platforms, Nigeria can curb corruption, reduce processing times, and improve citizen access to public services.
Drawing from global examples such as Rwanda and Estonia, Mohammed notes that e-governance can turn public institutions into service-oriented agencies rather than bureaucratic gatekeepers. He emphasises the need for sustained investment in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital literacy to ensure long-term success.
Performance-Based Budgeting and Accountability
Mohammed also advocates for a shift from politically motivated budgeting to performance-based budgeting. Under this model, public spending would be tied to measurable outcomes, ensuring that funds allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies translate into tangible improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and employment.
He proposes the introduction of Service Delivery Scorecards to evaluate institutional performance and guide future budget allocations. This, he argues, would discourage waste, reward innovation, and strengthen fiscal accountability.
Fiscal Decentralisation and True Federalism
On federalism, the policy analyst argues that Nigeria’s highly centralised fiscal structure weakens local governance and stifles innovation. Overreliance on federal allocations has created dependency among states and local governments, undermining accountability.
Mohammed calls for fiscal decentralisation that empowers subnational governments to generate and manage revenues responsibly, while maintaining transparent intergovernmental transfers to ensure equity and national cohesion.
Youth Inclusion and Citizen Empowerment
With over 70 per cent of Nigerians under the age of 35, Mohammed identifies youth inclusion as a cornerstone of democratic renewal. He urges political parties to integrate young Nigerians meaningfully into leadership structures through mentorship, inclusive financing, and civic education.
Beyond youth participation, he highlights the importance of citizen engagement through consultation frameworks, digital feedback platforms, and participatory policy forums. Such mechanisms, he says, will strengthen accountability and restore public trust in governance.
Governance Reform as a Moral Imperative
Mohammed concludes that the true cost of governance is measured not only in wasted revenue but in lost opportunities—hospitals without medicines, schools without teachers, and uncompleted infrastructure projects. He urges Nigeria’s political leadership to prioritise governance reform as a national mission, not merely an electoral promise.
“The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends not on how much it governs, but on how well it governs,” he states, calling for courage, empathy, and citizen-centred leadership as Nigeria charts a path toward sustainable development and democratic renewal.
About the Author
Shuwa Gabriel Mohammed, Esq., AICMC, MCAI is a corporate litigator and policy analyst based in Abuja. He focuses on governance reform, public sector efficiency, and democratic accountability.
Contact: 09066851183 | Email: Shuwagabriel@gmail.com
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