Nominees should submit their vision and work plan for the allocated ministries to the selection committee.
Each of the nominees is expected to submit their vision for the ministry. The candidates must be ready to present and defend the vision to Nigerians. The vision document must provide clarity on how the candidate intends to implement the plan. This process will ensure that only individuals who possess a deep understanding of the sectors would be selected as ministers. Successful candidates will be expected to present, within their first 100-days in office, a detailed work plan with timelines.
Conduct a public ministerial selection process of shortlisted candidates on Live TV.
The FGN should set up a ministerial selection committee consisting of the managing partners of the five global consulting firms with operations in Nigeria: Accenture, Bain & Co., KPMG, McKinsey & Co., and PricewaterhouseCoopers. These are individuals with expertise in recruiting CEOs. Working with this team of professionals will facilitate the integrity of the process as they manage global franchises that have strict compliance and ethics codes. It is important to note that this is not foolproof, as corporate malpractice within the consulting profession has been known. However, this process is sure to mitigate that possibility.
The Selection Committee Team will be responsible for reviewing the nomination submission forms of the various candidates for each of the ministerial positions to ensure they meet all the stipulations in the job description. The team will invite the nominees to present a summary of their proposed work plan (or vision) before a studio and national television audience. Each member of the Selection Committee Team will question the nominee on aspects of their experience, qualification and proposed work plan. After the session, each of the judges will award a score from 0 to 10 to each of the nominees. The scores would be visible to all Nigerians. The nominee with the highest score will be recommended for the position.
This process is a strong and effective signal to Nigerians that the new government is committed to changing the status quo and to implementing processes that will project the best-qualified candidates for political positions. The added advantage of this process is that over time, only candidates who are really technically prepared for the roles will put themselves forward for consideration.
Presidential review and final selection.
The results, which are already public, will be presented to the president for his review. The president reserves the right to accept or reject the suggested candidates. The advantage of accepting the candidates who emerged from this process is that it signals to Nigerians that this government does not have any ulterior motive other than the development of Nigeria and is willing to work with whomever is the best qualified for this role. The risk of rejecting a candidate that emerged from this process is that the president would have to assume part of the responsibility for the outcome. Also, it would be a negative signal to Nigerians.
Confirmation by the Senate.
The president will submit the list of successful nominees to the Nigeria Senate for confirmation. It is expected that any candidates who emerged from the rigorous selection process should pass the Senate confirmation. However, there is a risk that the Senate may not confirm some of the nominees. The onus would be on the Senate to explain to Nigerians why they consider such a candidate unsuitable for the role.
Execute performance contract.
The FGN will organise a public event where successful candidates would publicly sign a performance contract that stipulates their key deliverables and the timelines as well as an Asset Declaration Form. The details of the performance contracts will be published in both the traditional and social media as a way to incentivize candidates to perform.
Similar to the recent elections, Nigerians are sure to be encouraged to track the performance of each of the candidates. The presidency will evaluate their performance in three-month cycles. Non-performing ministers should be promptly relieved of their responsibilities. Such action would be a strong signal to Nigerians that only delivery of stipulated results can safeguard one’s job. Furthermore, it will streamline the calibre and number of candidates jostling for appointment as ministers. The risk of public condemnation will encourage only those who are prepared for the roles to present themselves for public service.
Conclusion
The main risk to this proposal is that the political elite and conservatives may view the proposal as too innovative, radical, or much of a leap-forward from how the country currently operates. The fact is that Nigeria is in dire straits and requires bold (not incremental) change. This will signal to Nigerians that the Buhari-Osinbajo administration is fully committed to the #Change agenda even if it means rocking the proverbial political boat.
Extrapolating from the recent election results, Nigerians believe in the character and integrity of General Muhammadu Buhari and Professor (Pastor) Yemi Osinbajo. However, there is palpable fear that the government may be drowned out by entrenched political machinery peopled by the same characters that have been at the helm of affairs in Nigeria for the last few decades. As a result, it is important to establish a process that will result in the desired #Change outcomes.
More importantly, the administration is in its “honeymoon” period with the electorate and this is the time to make the difficult changes while ensuring that it continues to sustain the hope and trust of the electorate. This is a bold and different approach which holds a lot of promise to change the colouration of the people at the helm of affairs in Nigeria and deliver #Change for Nigerians. The real question is: does the Buhari-Osinbajo team have the political will to implement it?
Patrick O. Okigbo III
