THE UNSUSTAINABLE COST OF GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

The Unsustainable Cost of Governance in Nigeria. A System Built for Waste

Nigeria, despite its vast potential and resources, remains a nation struggling with industrialisation. Paradoxically, we operate one of the world's most expensive systems of governance, a luxury we demonstrably cannot afford. This excessive cost permeates every level, stifling development and diverting crucial funds from essential services and nation-building.

The problem begins with the sheer size and complexity of the civil service structure itself. Consider the typical hierarchy; below politically appointed Ministers and Commissioners, we find Head of Departments, Deputy Directors, Directors, Permanent Secretaries, and then a further layer of numerous politically appointed Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants. This creates a top-heavy administration with inherent redundancies.

One of the most glaring inefficiencies is the proliferation of highly-paid political appointees, particularly Special Advisers, whose roles often directly overlap with the mandated functions of established civil service departments. These appointees frequently command salaries and allowances running into millions of Naira monthly. The fundamental question arises. Why must a President or Governor receive policy advice or sectoral updates through a newly appointed political aide, when well-established civil service departments, staffed by career professionals with decades of institutional knowledge, extensive records, and sector-specific databases, exist precisely for this purpose.

This duplication is not just inefficient; it's fiscally irresponsible. Experienced civil servants, possessing deep expertise and historical context critical for informed decision-making, often earn a fraction sometimes as little as ₦200,000 monthly at entry-mid levels of what a newly appointed political adviser receives. Ironically, these highly-paid advisers often rely on data, analysis, and groundwork provided by the very civil servants they ostensibly supplement or bypass. Eliminating or drastically reducing such redundant political appointments represents a significant, low-hanging fruit for saving billions.

The role of the Permanent Secretary (PS) within this structure warrants particular scrutiny. Occupying a unique position neither purely a politician like the Minister nor a typical line director the PS is meant to be the administrative head and accounting officer of the Ministry. However, the perception persists that their actual function and value are opaque. They wield immense, often unchecked, administrative and financial power, acting as the crucial conduit between the transient political head (the Minister), the career civil servants, contractors, and the Presidency/Governorship.

This position, sitting at the intersection of policy, administration, and procurement, is acutely vulnerable to corruption. Allegations of vast wealth accumulation among Permanent Secretaries are widespread and persistent. It is frequently suggested that if anti-corruption agencies (EFCC/ICPC) were to rigorously and impartially investigate the financial activities of past and present Permanent Secretaries, the potential recovery of misappropriated public funds could run into trillions of Naira. They are often described as the most powerful and sometimes feared figures within the bureaucratic hierarchy, their influence far exceeding their public profile. Their frequent transition into elective political office further underscores their entrenched power and networks.
For those engaged in sectors like Abuja's real estate development, the immense, often unexplained wealth flowing through certain bureaucratic channels needs no elaboration.

This grotesque misallocation of resources becomes morally indefensible when contrasted with the plight of those tasked with Nigeria's most dangerous duties. Soldiers risking their lives on the frontlines against insurgency and banditry often receive a paltry basic salary ₦70k, while political appointees in secure offices earn millions for duplicative roles. Similarly, a police officer dedicating 35 years of service might retire with a gratuity and pension that translates to a meagre monthly income the quoted ₦2 million gratuity, is a stark illustration of the system's perverse priorities. This isn't merely poor governance; it borders on institutionalised wickedness.

The current structure is not merely inefficient; it is actively predatory. The exorbitant cost of maintaining multiple, overlapping layers of administration and legions of political appointees, coupled with systemic vulnerabilities to corruption (exemplified by the powerful Permanent Secretary cadre), drains resources desperately needed for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Paying millions for duplicated advice while underfunding the military and police, and neglecting civil servant expertise, is a recipe for national disillusionment and instability.

Continuing on this path is not an option. It is a deliberate choice with dire consequences. Failing to implement radical surgery on the cost of governance streamlining bureaucracies, eliminating redundant political posts, enforcing strict accountability, and prioritizing equitable pay for essential services risks not just stagnation, but accelerating Nigeria towards systemic collapse. The government must choose; reform this unsustainable system or bear responsibility for the inevitable crisis it fuels.

Until the moment when will shall dance in white Greater Grace.

Oyugbo Osagie Jonah