Assessment Task Force: 140 Officials Chosen to Scrutinize Federal Ministries Under Tinubu’s Leadership

In preparation for the inaugural assessment exercise at the end of the month, the Federal Government is mobilizing a team of 140 officials to evaluate the performance of ministers appointed by President Bola Tinubu. The assessment initiative was unveiled during the third technical retreat for delivery desk officers held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

Officials participating in the assessment represent 35 federal government ministries, departments, and agencies, including permanent secretaries and directors of planning. The assessment will scrutinize modalities, key performance indicators, and reporting mechanisms, according to a senior official from the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.

During the retreat, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Mrs Hadiza Bala-Usman, emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to holding ministers accountable for their responsibilities. Bala-Usman warned of potential dismissals for ministers failing to meet performance expectations.

The assessment will cover various sectors, as exemplified by Bala-Usman’s mention of evaluating the customer experience at airports under the Ministry of Aviation and the growth of fertilizer use in agriculture.

Scheduled to commence in January 2024, the quarterly assessment will track the performance of the 47 ministers, using performance bonds signed during a three-day cabinet retreat held from November 1 to 3, 2023. The bonds outline deliverables for each ministry within the 2024 budget cycle.

Legal Perspectives and Civil Society Reactions:

Prominent legal figures and civil society organizations offered diverse perspectives on the assessment initiative. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, expressed concerns about the priority of assessing ministers amidst national challenges, emphasizing the need for the government to address pressing issues.

Other legal experts, including Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN) and Mr Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), raised questions about the subjectivity of ministerial assessments and suggested that the public should play a role in evaluating ministers’ performance.

Civil Society Organisations called for decisive action, urging President Tinubu to suspend underperforming ministers or those involved in corrupt practices. They emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in governance.

Political Responses:

Political figures expressed a range of opinions on the assessment initiative. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, cautiously welcomed the idea, emphasizing the potential positive impact on service delivery. Meanwhile, representatives from the New Nigeria People’s Party and the Labour Party endorsed periodic assessments as a standard practice to ensure qualified individuals serve in government roles.

As the assessment period approaches, the nation awaits the outcome of this unprecedented initiative, hoping for improved governance and accountability in the federal ministries.