The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Shehu Bello, OFR, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to limit the official convoy sizes of ministers and chief executives in an effort to cut down on governance costs. He encouraged state governments to adopt similar measures, underscoring the importance of reducing excesses in public spending to foster economic growth and stability.

In a statement issued over the weekend, Dr. Bello highlighted that this decision aligns with RMAFC’s long-standing advocacy for a leaner and more efficient public sector. According to him, lowering governance costs is crucial, as the current high expenditure has led to diminished resources for infrastructure, social services, and ultimately, weakened economic investment, rising unemployment, and increasing insecurity.

“No society can make meaningful progress without a competent and cost-effective management system that optimizes the nation’s resources for the common good,” stated Dr. Bello, emphasizing RMAFC’s continued recommendations over the years to cut back on unnecessary government expenses and focus on projects that tangibly benefit citizens.

Dr. Bello attributed Nigeria’s high governance costs to a complex web of factors, including an oversized bureaucracy, overlapping ministries and agencies, and entrenched corruption. He pointed to additional challenges such as infrastructure inefficiencies, security costs from insurgency and criminal activities, and the high salaries and allowances associated with public service, as well as mounting domestic and foreign debt obligations.

The Commission expressed concern over the unsustainable cost of governance in Nigeria, describing it as “alarming” and a significant barrier to essential functions like infrastructure development, healthcare, and education. Dr. Bello noted that all three arms of government are implicated in this issue, and that Nigeria’s governance costs rank among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, which hinders overall economic growth.

To address these challenges, the RMAFC recommended the swift implementation of the Orosanye report, which advocates for a streamlined public sector, along with a reduction in political appointees per RMAFC’s remuneration guidelines for public officeholders. The Commission also urged all levels of government to adopt more prudent spending practices, which it asserts would enhance Nigeria’s economic stability and improve citizens’ quality of life.