EXCLUSIVE: Joda committee asks Buhari to appoint only 19 senior ministers
The Ahmed Joda-led transition committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to prune the number of federal ministries from 28 to 19.
In its report seen by TheCable, the advisory committee recommended that Buhari should have only 19 senior ministers, while 17 ministers of state should be appointed, bringing the total to 36 in fulfillment of the constitutional requirement of one minister per state.
Previous governments, starting from 1999, appointed 42 ministers — picking one from each of the six geo-political zones in addition to one from each of the 36 states of the federation.
Under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, there were 28 senior ministers and 14 ministers of state. Three of the ministries were directly under presidency.
The issue of small government has dominated public debate, with the new governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, reducing the number of ministries from 19 to 13 upon inauguration.
Buhari has promised to reduce the cost of governance.
The Joda transition committee submitted its report to Buhari on June 12, but the details, which the president is expected to evaluate before taking his initial key steps, are yet to be made public.
TheCable can report that under the Joda proposals, only nine ministries will not be affected in the pruning exercise: (1) industry, trade and investment (2) education (3) defence (4) FCT (5) finance (6) labour and productivity (7) justice (8) foreign affairs and (9) national planning.
The report posited: “There is no direct relationship between the number of ministries and efficacy of service delivery. The US with a population of 316 million and with GDP of $17,328 trillion (30 times Nigeria’s GDP) has 15 ministries. India has 24 ministries, while the UK has 17.
“The current structure of the FGN with 28 ministries and 542 agencies (50 of which have no enabling laws) [results in] very high cost of governance. The portfolios of ministries are not responsive to all the major critical national challenges such as family and child affairs; religious affairs; vulnerable and elderly group affairs as well as the North-eastern crisis.
“[There is an] apparent conflict between the desire of reducing the cost of governance through cabinet downsize and the constitutional requirement of a cabinet-level ministerial appointment from each of the 36 states of the federation.”
OLD and NEW: The JODA PROPOSAL
| CURRENT MINISTRIES | PROPOSED | SENIOR MINISTER | MINISTER OF STATE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Agriculture and Rural Devt(2) Water Resources |
(1) Agriculture and Water Resources |
1 |
1 |
|
(3) Aviation(4) Transport |
(2) Transportation (Aviation, Rail and Water Transport) |
1 |
2 |
|
(5) Communication Technology(6) Science and Technology |
(3) Science, Technology and Communications |
1 |
1 |
|
(7) Culture, Tourism and National Orientation(8) Information |
(4) Information, Culture and Tourism (National Orientation) |
1 |
0 |
|
(9) Defence |
(5) Defence |
1 |
1 |
|
(10) Education |
(6) Education |
1 |
1 |
|
(11) Environment(12) Land and Urban Development(13) Works and Housing |
(7) Works, Housing and Environment |
1 |
2 |
|
(14) FCT |
(8) FCT |
1 |
0 |
|
(15) Finance |
(9) Finance |
1 |
1 |
|
(16) Foreign Affairs |
(10) Foreign Affairs |
1 |
1 |
|
(17) Health |
(11) Health and Human Services (including the elderly and vulnerable groups) |
1 |
1 |
|
(18) Industry, Trade and Investments |
(12) Investment, Trade and Industry |
1 |
1 |
|
(19) Interior(20) Police Affairs |
(13) Interior (Police, Immigration, Prisons, Civil Defence) |
1 |
1 |
|
(2.) Labour and Productivity |
(14) Employment and Labour |
1 |
0 |
|
(22) Mines and Steel Development(23) Petroleum Resources(24) Power |
(15) Energy (Petroleum Resources, Mines and Power) |
1 |
0 |
|
(25) Women Affairs and Social Development(26) Sports(27) Youth Development |
(16) Gender, Family Affairs, Youth and Sports |
1 |
2 |
|
(28) Niger Delta Affairs(29) Special Duties |
(17) Special National Considerations (to take charge of Niger Delta and North-East Affairs) |
1 |
0 |
|
(30) National Planning |
(18) Budget and National Planning |
1 |
2 |
|
(31) Justice |
(19) Justice |
1 |
0 |
|
31 (28 + 3 under presidency) |
19 |
19 |
17 |
|
The Joda committee wants mines and steel development, petroleum resources and power to become one ministry to be named “ministry of energy”, while environment, land and urban development as well as works and housing will now be known as works, housing and environment instead of being three separate ministries.
These proposals are believed to have been influenced by the report of the Stephen Oronsaye committee which was set up by Jonathan to provide a comprehensive blueprint on reduction of cost of governance in 2012.
The Joda committee is said to have studied the report, which is also a reflection of a similar exercise carried by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007 in the twilight of his administration.
The rationalisation of ministries and agencies was not implemented by Obasanjo but his successor, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, initially did before reverting to the old structure.
President Buhari has continued to keep mum on the direction of his government, but Joda has pleaded for patience, suggesting that the report of his committee was very important in charting a new direction.
Members of the APC transition committee were: Joda (chairman), Doyin Salami, Rotimi Amaechi, John Oyegun, Audu Ogbeh, Ogbonnaya Onu, Lawal Jafaru Isa, Bola Adesola, Lai Mohammed, Wale Edun, Tam David-West, Nike Aboderin, Boss Mustapha, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, Hadi Sirika, Abubakar Malami, Solomon Dalung, Festus Odimegwu and Adamu Adamu (secretary).
This is a good news and it’s meeting up to my expectations. Bravo pmb. Masugudu sugudu
This is still too much but a great start. Looking at some of these called ministries, they look more like parastatalsor government agencies. I wonder why we keep creating things that don’t add any value in the first place. Then the constitution thing about appointing a minister from each state is flawed and should be looked into. I wonder why we keep tinkering on our constitution all the time…
We say we are practicing American system of democracy but we are not actually following it. Look at Senate & Deputy Senate President for instance, these positions are not necessary and don’t exist in USA. The senate majority leader is the head of the senate with the minority Leader as leader of the opposition.
this is quit excellent and impressive well done job,bravo joda cudos to you joda
I guess this Administration is sensible with the way and manner is driving the economy of this country.we all pray for u in our privacy . Good job and God bless u all.pls tackcle this corruption of a thing holistically.
Your comment..This is a good start for this administration.i want to say a big thank you to the Joda transition comitee,i want to advice you to ensure the implementation of those recommendations you made.
If we are to escape from the quagmire and hopelessness of the past, this new administration must continue in this vein. Hope rising!
Bravo, a good step in the right direction. But not huru huru yet. We can still reduce it further, dont you think so?
This is a good recomendation for the taking off, the only ministry I would like the government and President Buhari to take second look at is the proposed ministry of Interior, putting Police Affairs ministry, Custom, Immigration and Civil Defence in one ministry will be counter productive, rivalry will be too much and the Minister will be too powerful. Custom should remain with the Ministry of finance.
Custom was not moved, It’s still under Ministry of Finance.
Move Police and Prisons to Ministry of Justice; they form part of the justice administration process in the country. It would provide synergy and reduce red tapes.
Bravo Good job, intelligent proposal including joining Prison Police, Civil Defence with Justice Ministry. This will create a better synergy for upholding justice in the country
Nice contributions.
Logical proposal. How do we get this proposal across to the presidency?
Kudos to Joda led c’tee, however customes should under ministry of finance, in the same vein police and prison shoulf be under ministry of justice.
A job well done by the Joda led transition committee.
Change is truly here.
This is a good development and we say bravo.
I wish this new administration will always listen to the Nigerian people especially what they have to say on social media like this so long as they leave the comments and take the best of thoughts.
The minister of Interior will be too powerful with the proposed combination.
And hope this will not give room to the overlooking or overconcentration on some subministries.
Moreover, the fact that PMB wants to make a change is auspicious. Let’s give him all the support.
God bless Nigeria.
Good move for starters. PMB should strengthen Intergovernmental Affairs in order to smoothen areas of overlaps and conflict of interests between and amongst the MDAs. For instance the National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA issues licenses to sand dredgers on our rivers whilst the Ministry of Environment evaluates the extent of sand dredging damage to the ecosystem. Both functions can be carried out by a single Agency of govt. The Ministry in charge of road construction also needs to work closely with the Ministry of Transport to determine together the nature, type and cost of road infrastructure required at particular terrains; the extent of need for pedestrian crossings, walkways, cycling pathways at farmsteads/rural communities; the cost-benefit analyses relating to present and future maintenance and the lifespan of the roads themselves, including whether or not dual carriageways are of any economic value for certain areas considering their demographics. There are many such overlaps in our MDAs with the result that non consultation amongst them leads to monumental waste of public funds on gigantic but unnecessary construction projects.
its a good course in a right direction
Your comment..I really support the new proposed ministry at least it will cut down the expenses.
Nice moved from Ahmed joda led committee but no need of minister for state…19 minister is ok in order to cut cost cos state minister don’t always function
Nice one_ what a way to kick start dis govt patience is all will need for PMB
Good blueprint this is wat you get when you constitute group of technocrat for a national assignment. No 15 should be directly under d office of the president for proper scrutiny
I want to agree with Adeyemi that the custom services should remain with the finance ministry. It will be more productive and efficient than in the interior where there will be lots of conflict and rivalry. Kudos Joda & co!
pruning down miniseries without the attendant sacking of the workers in th affected ministers i hope?
I pray PMB gets it right, he appears to be ready to contribute a valuable bit to the country through his presidency. God bless joda and his committee members.
Gud start while there is urgent need to address issue of minister per state. Is not acceptable and wasteful
Wholistically PMB needs to revisit orosanye report on the MDAs
We should wait and see how the mergers will be done. If some ministries are scrapped, then what happens to the staff?. Retrenchments will put the government in direct collision with the people at this difficult time. There is need to tread very cautiously
There will be no retrenchment because all the ministries are merged and all will still have to use the same staffs to do the same work under different names in the ministries.
Kudos to the committee! This is an excellent job done by them.I believe Mr President should work with this report so as to reduce cost
bravo Joda and co. May God guide PMB regime.
This is a job well done by the committee. However, the proposed Ministry of Energy should have at least one Minister of State, if not two. The job there is too demanding compared to other ministries with two ministers of state. No ministry should be seen as fill in the gap going forward .
Thinkering with the number of ministries is purely cosmetic. The Directors are still there. Those who facilitate corruption must not be left behind when the Ministers they served are gone. You can’t run a Presidential system with a Westminster structure of administration. It is counter productive. There are too many Directors who constitute the actual drain on the Budget and not Ministers, this new plan will make some states inferior to others. And that will amount to political discrimination. States should be treated equally.
I don’t understand. Are you saying you want 36 ministries?
I will advise that the President send a bill to the National assembly asking for the amendment of the section of the constitution that said, we should have a minister from every state. It should be changed as follows. Every geo political zone in the country shall have a minimum of 3 minister. The 36 ministers should be sworn in, and a re-organisation that will reflect the amendment implemented in less than one year.
Mines should be pulled out of the proposed energy ministry- the solid minerals sector would diversify our economy and revenues.
Finance and planning should be merged for good coordination of economic policies. This is similar to putting police and prisons under the justice ministry.
There is no need for a mass sack of junior civil servants when we are looking for more teachers and policemen.
Obilly,
Are the geo-political zones in our country, constitutionalised? Your recommendation is akin to putting the cart before the horse.
On a wider scope, Can we take our time to look at how Ministries in Nigeria evolved. Can we also look at the circumstance(s) leading to the creation of Ministries? How many times did successive governments in Nigeria change the names of Ministries? To what extent has the changes impacted on the people? These are critical questions begging for answers. I think the needful for now, is to inject values/virtues/WAI in every Nigerian and all the cry (excessive wastages in government ) will naturally give way. It is not rocket science. I’m very positive that we can get it right. But, we MUST positively play our individual parts. It’s a not PMB, Joda and his team et al, but a collective endeavour.
Keep flying the Nigerian flag high.
God bless Nigeria
For all intent and purposes, this is good and should be commended by all who meant well for this nation. Someone has to put a stop to all the wastages. We are in a new beginning and pruning down the ministries is just one of the actions required to demonstrate it. The elders have done a marvellous job. Kudos to them. Without prejudice to their good intentions, I think the Ministry of Energy deserves 2; let there be included a minister of state. God bless Nigeria. It is well for us as a people and a nation. Thank you.
This is a great job, God will continue to lead you people to success of our country,(Nigerian).
Your comment.. this ‘s very good work & impressive development to d country nigeria
Tank God oo hope for Naija. Am very very happy. Hope arising. Change is here. 1M likes for bravo Joda n co. One love PMB
Your comment..If this can be achieve in this harsh time that our Nigerian state is facing, I can say this is the first giant stride and also a wiser decision by this new administration of PMB. the cost of running governance is very high considering the level of our GDP.
Real Policy of Good Governance.
Totally agree, the recommendations are logical and promises an efficient government. It should be remembered though that while we seek good governance, which is critical to our future growth and development as a nation; good governance requires a stable political platform. That said, equal representation is one pillar on which a stable polity rest. My question and concern in this debate is what difference (Political and Economic) would it make if 36 Ministries are created and 36 Ministers appointed and eliminating Ministers of State?
The fear of PMB is d beginning of WISDOM in NIG. GREAT JOB for now. Pls replay Buhari/Idiagbon democratically. sai buhari
As much as i will command the transition committee for a job well done,i will want to strongly oppose the proposed merger of police,civil defence,prison,fire service and immigration under the interior ministry.i think that would be too much for the interior ministry to handle.i will rather police and prison service move to the justice ministry.
A job well done, few sugestion though. Police, prison should be moved to Justice otherwise, interior will be far from achieving something. Road safety under transport or work if too much for transport.
I have read quite a number of rose-tinted comments here. I wish all of you gullible simple minds all the best. The mantra now has moved from Change to Patience. We dey laugh o!!! Baba go-slow 2, the movie.
Akuya, you got it. you are so discernible…it is change we voted for and not patience
In general, a good move. Some tweaks are required for the optimal delivery of national aspirations. First, if this government delivers power, it would have delivered the spine of our economic growth. We have to have power as a full (separate) ministry, with our version of a Marshall plan. I suggest FCT can make do with a Minister of State under the Presidency, if that wont run contrary to the constitution.
We should not create more partitions: Ministry of National Considerations may suggest some areas are excluded. Worse than that, trouble makers may be encouraged to create situations of unrest in their areas to be in ‘National Consideration’. The proposed ministry should be subsumed in the Ministry of Works, where Niger Delta and North East should get no less attention. The ministry of Budget and National Planning should be in the Ministry of Finance; it is always important to have an integrated Finance/Economy minister. For one, government should be moving in one direction (unity of purpose) and someone needs to pull this together. For another, the Presidency will need to focus on the strategic direction of government and the country and need not be otherwise over-burdened.
Your comment..This is a good way to start but the ministry of power should have stand alone to be able to revived the power sector which need an urgent attention. With this common man can
quickly benefits from the divided of Democratic.
Bringing back Budget into National Planning shows that what goes round must come around. In last 20 or more years since greed took Budget to Finance, we have planning without Budget and Budgetting without Planning. Let Planning naturally coordinate development. This is more logical and sensible since all foreign aids come through the National Planning. Great recommendation worthy of full acceptance.