According to Vanguard, Legal icon and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has expressed the need for Nigeria to embrace significant political and economic reforms if it is to achieve meaningful development. In a recent engagement, he reflected on the current state of governance and productivity in Nigeria, pointing out that the country has remained stagnant due to a lack of efficient systems and forward-looking leadership. According to him, the urgency of transforming Nigeria lies not just in responding to present economic challenges but in laying a solid foundation for future progress. Dr. Agbakoba’s assessment of the situation highlights the importance of rethinking national priorities and aligning policies with modern global standards of governance.
Dr. Agbakoba drew a comparison between the administrative methods currently being adopted by former U.S. President Donald Trump and what he believes Nigeria needs. He noted that what Trump has been implementing mirrors some ideas he himself had recommended earlier, particularly those modeled after the leadership style of Margaret Thatcher. He explained that Thatcher’s approach to governance was based on firm control, strategic focus, and a system that prioritized results. For Nigeria, Dr. Agbakoba stressed the need for a similar framework, one that emphasizes performance and accountability within government departments and agencies. He pointed to the example of Elon Musk’s emphasis on efficiency in his companies, arguing that this kind of mindset is essential for turning around failing institutions in Nigeria.
In advocating for a Department of Efficiency, Dr. Agbakoba emphasized that Nigeria needs a structure that can evaluate performance across all sectors of government. This department, as he envisions it, would serve as a watchdog over public service delivery, ensuring that ministries and parastatals are not just functional in name but effective in real output. He argued that most of the problems Nigeria faces stem from an ineffective bureaucracy that lacks clear goals and timelines. Without a system that holds leaders accountable and measures performance rigorously, he warned, reforms would remain cosmetic and the country would continue to underperform on both local and international stages.
Dr. Agbakoba also touched on the broader implications of governance reform, linking it to economic stability and investor confidence. He noted that without a predictable political environment and robust regulatory frameworks, foreign and local investors would be reluctant to make long-term commitments. According to him, one of the reasons Nigeria struggles with economic diversification is because the necessary institutional support is lacking. Sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and technology have the potential to transform the economy, but without leadership that focuses on strategic development and proper execution, those potentials are not being realized. He stressed that only a systemic overhaul could unlock the productivity needed to drive sustainable growth.
He further observed that Nigeria’s problems are not just economic or political, but deeply structural. Dr. Agbakoba believes that a lot of policies are crafted in haste and implemented without adequate consultation or planning, leading to poor outcomes and public distrust. He stated that there must be a deliberate effort to build institutions that are independent, transparent, and focused on long-term national interests rather than short-term political gains. He pointed out that the judiciary, legislature, and executive arms must work in sync to ensure the rule of law is upheld and citizens are protected from administrative recklessness. In his view, the fragmentation of institutional roles and the lack of synergy among government arms contribute significantly to national inefficiency.
In reflecting on leadership in Nigeria, Dr. Agbakoba was clear that visionary and courageous leaders are essential for the reforms he advocates. He emphasized that beyond personal ambition, those in power must demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenges and possess the will to make tough decisions. He mentioned that Nigeria has had individuals with the capacity to lead but has often lacked the enabling environment for such leadership to thrive. He said creating that environment involves electoral reforms, citizen participation in governance, and a political culture that rewards competence over loyalty. Only when these elements are in place, he said, can true transformation occur.
He said: What Trump is doing is what I recommended a long time ago because I read this from Mrs Margaret Thatcher, a British stateswoman and Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. Her government was a catchment of efficiency, which is what Elon Musk has done. This Department of Efficiency is what we need.
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