THE ORONSAYE COMMISSION AND THE POLITICS OF PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM IN NIGERIA
Ibrahim Braji, PhD
Volume 12 Issue 3
Abstract
The Oronsaye Commission of 2011, formally known as the Presidential Committee on the Rationalization and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies, is one of Nigeria’s most valiant and ambitious efforts to reform the large and expensive public service. Established under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015), it identified the federal bureaucracy as a victim of duplication, waste and inefficiency. Yet, despite its importance and detailed recommendations, the Commission’s report has scarcely been implemented—reflecting the stubborn nature of resisting reform in Nigeria. This paper examines the origins, objectives and the policy and institutional environment of the Oronsaye Commission. It also seeks to assess political factors, structural constraints and the reasons for leaving the Commission in abeyance. Using arguments from Neo-patrimonialism, Institutional and Government Failure theories as theoretical pillars, it places the Oronsaye reforms within the broader historical context of post-independence reforms in Nigeria. The findings reveal that the report provided an airtight blueprint for efficiency, but entrenched vested interests, weak political will and a neo-patrimonial culture of governance hampered its adoption. The paper concludes that these shortcomings cause every well-conceived reform to be relegated to mere rhetoric rather than pursued as an instrument of change. This study reviews official reports, white papers, and media accounts from 2011–2025 using the qualitative content analysis method of data collection. Key words: Public Sector Reform, Rationalization and Cost of Governance
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