Implementing the Oronsaye Report, which aims to restructure the oversized public sector, aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda. This strategy seeks to restore fiscal discipline, enhance institutional efficiency, and unlock economic potential.

As Nigeria grapples with rising debt and inflation, the administration’s commitment to the Oronsaye Report reflects a dedication to transformative governance and sustainable development.

I emphasised the importance of fully implementing the Oronsaye Report at the start of Tinubu’s administration. Doing so is vital for reducing Nigeria’s governance costs and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Commissioned in 2012 under President Goodluck Jonathan, the Oronsaye Report evaluated Nigeria’s oversized public sector.

It recommended reforms, including merging or scrapping 220 of 541 federal agencies, reducing statutory agencies from 263 to 161, and potentially saving over ₦862 billion between 2012 and 2015 through these measures.

In February 2024, President Tinubu advanced his Renewed Hope Agenda by ordering the implementation of a comprehensive report to enhance government efficiency.

This initiative aims to merge, scrap, or relocate redundant agencies, streamline operations, and redirect funds towards capital projects and social investments. It aligns with Tinubu’s focus on bold economic reforms, fiscal discipline, and effective governance.

Addressing the Oronsaye Report within the Renewed Hope Agenda is amplified by Nigeria’s current economic struggles, marked by high debt servicing and limited revenue. There is also a rising public demand for accountability and efficiency in government. Fortunately, advancements in digital governance tools provide a timely opportunity for reform.

The focus is on evaluating the implementation of the Oronsaye Report within the context of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Key considerations include effective monitoring, securing legislative support for structural changes, transparent communication with the public and civil servants, and supporting affected workers through redeployment or retraining.

At this stage, it is vital to develop an infographic or policy brief to summarize the Oronsaye Report’s key aspects and alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

This visual would highlight the benefits of completing the report by 2025 and emphasise a sustainable approach. Full implementation could provide significant advantages for Nigeria’s economic development and sustainability.

1. Fiscal Efficiency and Cost Reduction

Nigeria has one of the highest governance costs globally. The government can reduce recurrent expenditure by merging or eliminating redundant agencies, freeing funds for capital projects and social programs. This aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises fiscal discipline and streamlined governance.

2. Reallocation of Resources to Development

Savings from reduced administrative costs can be invested in key areas like infrastructure, education, and healthcare. This funding can also support job creation and empower youth, promoting inclusive growth and addressing developmental gaps in underserved regions.

3. Improved Investor Confidence

A leaner, more efficient government in Nigeria is committed to reform and fiscal responsibility, which can attract foreign direct investment, improve credit ratings, and enhance public-private partnerships, all crucial for economic growth and stability.

4. Institutional Strengthening and Accountability

The government can achieve greater efficiency by eliminating overlapping mandates and streamlining operations. This would enhance service delivery, increase transparency and accountability, and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, leading to a more responsive government that better serves citizens.

5. Sustainability and Long-Term Reform

The Oronsaye Report represents a comprehensive reform, laying the groundwork for digital governance, performance-based budgeting, and sustainable management in the public sector.

6. Political Will and Reform Momentum

President Tinubu’s action to implement a long-neglected report is a commendable display of political will, potentially paving the way for essential reforms in taxation, energy, and the civil service.

The focus is on achieving a strong alignment between the comprehensive execution of the Report and Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, notably as the Administration marks two years into its first term. This synergy is crucial for realising the goals outlined in both initiatives.

Two years into President Tinubu’s first term, a notable synergy is developing between the full implementation of the Oronsaye Report and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

This collaboration appears to be strategic and transformative, highlighting how these initiatives align and reinforce each other in their efforts to advance the nation’s goals.

The Oronsaye Report and the Renewed Hope Agenda aim to enhance governance and efficiency in Nigeria.

The Oronsaye Report proposes significant reforms by merging or restructuring over 200 federal agencies to address duplication and inefficiency.

Oronsaye Report: Full List of Agencies, Commissions & Parastatals to be Scraped, Merged

Meanwhile, the Renewed Hope Agenda focuses on reducing corruption and improving public service delivery.

These initiatives streamline government operations, align with Tinubu’s vision for an accountable public sector, and ultimately bolster public trust.

The discussion on fiscal sustainability and economic reform underscores essential initiatives aimed at enhancing the economy’s financial stability.

A key element in this effort is the Oronsaye Report, which suggests measures to save billions in recurrent expenditures, thus allowing resources to be redirected towards vital development projects. In conjunction with this, the Renewed Hope Agenda focuses on economic stabilisation by tackling pressing issues such as removing fuel subsidies and unifying exchange rates.

These combined efforts are intended to avert fiscal collapse and establish a more stable economic landscape. The cost savings achieved through the Oronsaye reforms align seamlessly with broader economic reforms, creating a robust strategy to mitigate potential debt crises and control inflation.

Two significant initiatives underscore the focus on public trust and transparency. The Oronsaye Report enhances transparency within government operations by clarifying agencies’ roles and minimising bureaucratic overlap.

Meanwhile, the Renewed Hope Agenda aims to rebuild public trust through honest governance and visible reforms. Together, these efforts create a synergistic effect, as a transparent and efficient government structure fosters greater public confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.

The Long-Term Development and Sustainability section highlights two key initiatives to foster a sustainable administrative framework in Nigeria.

The Oronsaye Report establishes a foundation for this framework, while the Renewed Hope Agenda envisions a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria characterised by strong institutions and equitable growth.

The connection between these initiatives is crucial, as institutional reform is the backbone of sustainable development, making the Renewed Hope Agenda more than merely a vision.

The current moment is pivotal for the administration, two years into its tenure, as it has overcome initial resistance to challenging reforms such as subsidy removal. With this newfound political capital, there is an opportunity to pursue deeper structural changes. Additionally, public expectations are high, with citizens eager to see tangible results.

By implementing the Oronsaye Report, the administration can showcase its commitment to meaningful reform. This effort addresses domestic demands and Nigeria’s global standing, signalling to investors and international partners that the country is serious about driving change.

Conclusively, the Oronsaye Report and the Renewed Hope Agenda represent a crucial alignment in governance aimed at improving Nigeria’s operations.

This collaboration is set to streamline government functions, minimize waste, and redirect resources to vital sectors, paving the way for a more efficient and adaptable Nigeria under the Tinubu administration.

The reform goes beyond mere cost-cutting; it focuses on rebuilding public confidence, attracting investments, and strengthening institutions to fulfill the promise of national renewal.

As Tinubu’s first term progresses, the urgency for decisive action is apparent, making the comprehensive implementation of the Oronsaye Report both timely and transformative for the nation.

Consequently, the Oronsaye report recommended the merging, subsuming, scraping and relocation of several agencies of government. ⁣

Here, Techeconomy has enumerated the complete list of Agencies, Commissions and Parastatals affected by the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of 26th February 2024 on the Oronsaye Panel Report.

Agencies to be scraped:

1. Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate to be scrapped and functions transferred to the Federal Ministry of Finance.
2. National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to be scrapped and functions transferred to the department of Basic and Secondary Education in Federal Ministry of Education.

Agencies to be merged

1. National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) to be merged under the Centre for Disease Control in Federal Ministry of Health.
2. National Emergency Agency (NEMA) to be merged with National Commission Refugee, Migration and Internally Displaced persons [NCFRMI].
3. Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA) to be merged with Directorate of Technical Aid (DTAC) and to function as a department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to be merged with Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE).
5. Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) to be merged with Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
6. National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to be merged with National Centre for Agriculture Mechanization (NCAM) and

Project Development Institute (PRODA).

7. National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to be merged with National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB).
8. National Institute for Leather Science Technology (NILEST) to be merged with National Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT).
9. The Nomadic Education Commission (NEC) to be merged with National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult Education and Non Formal Education.
10. Federal Radio Corporation (FRCN) to be merged with Voice of Nigeria (VON)
11. The National Commission for Museums and Monuments to be merged with National gallery of Arts.
12. The National Theatre to be merged with National Troupe of Nigeria.
13. The National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) to be merged with National Metallurgical Training Institute (NMTI).
14. Nigerian Army University (NAUB) should be merged Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)
15. Airforce Institute of Technology (AFIT) should be merged Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)

Agencies to be subsumed

1. Service Compact with all Nigerians (SERVICOM) to be subsumed to function as a department under Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR).
2. Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) to be subsumed to function as a department under the National Boundary Commission (NBC).
3. National Salaries, Income and Wages Commissioned (NSIWC) to be subsumed into Revenue Mobilization & Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).
4. Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution to be subsumed under Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA)
5. Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to be subsumed under National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
6. Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis (NITR) to be subsumed into Institute of Veterinary Research (VOM).
7. Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) to be subsumed under the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).
8. National Intelligence Agency Pension Commission to be subsumed under the administration of Nigerian Pension Commission (PenCom).
9. The Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to be subsumed as a department in the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

Agencies to be relocated

1. Niger Delta Powerholding Company (NDHC) to be relocated to Ministry of power.
2. National Agricultural Land Development Agency [NALDA] to be relocated to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
3. National Blood Service Commission to be converted into an Agency and relocated to the Federal Ministry of Health
4. Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to be converted into an Agency and transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Consequently, he announced the merging, subsuming, scraping and relocation of several agencies of government. ⁣

Mohammed Idris, the minister of Information and National Orientation, revealed this to State House Correspondents after Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. ⁣

“So in a very bold move today, this administration, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, consistent again with his courage to take very far-reaching decisions in the interest of Nigeria, has taken a decision to implement the so-called Oronsaye Report.⁣

“Now, what that means is that a number of agencies, commissions, and some departments have actually been scrapped. Some have been modified, and marked while others have been subsumed. Others, of course, have also been moved from some ministries to others where the government feels they will operate better,” said Idris. ⁣

Consequently, the President constituted a committee to implement the mergers, scrapping and relocations within 12 weeks, said Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Mrs Hadiza Bala-Usman. ⁣

Submitted in 2012, the Oronsaye report on public sector reforms revealed that there are 541 — statutory and non-statutory —Federal Government parastatals, commissions, and agencies.⁣

A year earlier, the then President Goodluck Jonathan had set up the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies, under the leadership of Stephen Oronsaye, former Head of Civil Service,.⁣

The 800-page report recommended that 263 of the statutory agencies be slashed to 161; 38 agencies be scrapped; 52 be merged and 14 be reverted to departments in various ministries.⁣

The report also recommends that the law establishing the National Salaries and Wages Commission be repealed and its functions taken over by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Responsibility Commission.⁣

It advised the FG to merge the nation’s top three anti-corruption agencies—the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, according to PUNCH report.