Tinubu’s ministers, desk officers, others get new directives

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has redefined the priorities of his administration by placing premium on security for peace, food security, infrastructure, education, health, and social investment.

In his bids to deliver the dividends of democracy, the president also mandated his Ministers and heads of agencies to submit lists of deliverables and timelines which will be monitored monthly and quarterly.

In addition to the new order, Desk Officers have received Key Performance Indicators (KPI) metrics to assess Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The list of the redefined goals was contained in a January 15, 2024 circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

Those copied with the circular were the Clerk of the National Assembly; the Auditor-General of the Federation; the Accountant-General of the Federation; Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments/Directors-General and the Chief Executive Officers of parastatals, agencies and government-owned companies.

Titled: “Redefining of the Presidential priority areas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, the memo stated that the benchmarks will keep ministers and directors on their toes.

“Further to the cabinet retreat for Ministers, Presidential aides, Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries held from 1st – 3rd November, 2023, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has redefined the Priority Areas of his Administration as follows:

•Reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth

•Strengthen national security for peace and prosperity

•Boost agriculture to achieve food security

•Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development

•Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth

•Focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development

•Accelerate diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing and innovation

• Improve governance for effective service delivery,” the memo stated

“Accordingly, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are to ensure that their Policies, Programmes and Projects align with Mr. President’s Priority Areas in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the memo added.

A highly-placed source, said it will no longer be business as usual for ministers and MDAs, Ministers and agencies have submitted deliverables which have been broken down to monthly and quarterly modules.

The source added: “With the deliverables, desk officers will now apply KPI Metrics to ascertain whether or not Ministries, Departments and Agencies are following their plans and goals.”

He said the fact is that ministers, heads of departments and agencies have to work round the clock to meet their targets.

“At the end of the day, the overall performance of a minister or head of any agency will be based on the KPI Metrics. The essence is to set goals, ensure good governance, fast-track development and make those in charge of any project or assignment be up to what they are doing. “

He said the President will take a final decision and determine those who are not performing, those underperforming and those abysmally weak.

He said Tinubu is interested only in optimal service delivery because Nigerians are awaiting accelerated changes in the economic outlook, security and social development.