Reading through the article written by Reno Omokri, one would, on the surface, be inclined to think it is an article supporting the Nigerian President. It is not. It is an article aimed at pushing forward an agenda that is inimical to Nigeria in the longer term.
According to Mr Omokri, federal character is the ailment and corruption is the symptom of the ailment. His view is anchored on the premise that once federal character is eliminated and replaced with “merit”, all will be well with Nigeria.
“Merit”, the oft used phrase, has many meanings. It was used as a mask to justify tribalism under the former administration and possibly under the present one. The former finance minister of Jonathan ascribed the bizarre position where the Minister of finance, co-ordinating minister for the economy, central bank governor, DG of the budget office, DG of the Debt Management office, DG of Pencom, DG of RFMAC, DG of AMCON, DG of the SEC, CEO of the NSE and CEO of the Sovereign Wealth Fund all came from one tribe to “merit”. At that time, ‘merit” was the tune being sung to high heavens. The tribes at the receiving end of “merit” inevitably replaced the word “merit” for the word “marginalization” when the effect of “merit” based recruitment meant that it was absent from appointments when that same “merit” is employed (albeit determined by different people).
Merit, is easier and less controversially applied when recruiting an entry level graduate to his or her first job. At that point, one simply looks at the persons’ university degree grades, institution of graduation and general appearance and temperament of the individual at the interview. Matters become significantly more nuanced when one is recruiting for senior management positions. At that point, “merit” becomes a highly subjective proposition. Senior management roles in the private sector around the world are filled by reference to the following factors listed in order of priority. (1) relevant, direct and appropriate high level experience in a job similar to the job that is being filled; (2) in the absence of direct and appropriate experience, experience in a job that is not similar but whose skill set allows for the acquisition of skills that can be transferred to the job that is being filled, (3) great leadership and management skills, (4) temperament and good interpersonal skills, (5) Good communication skills and (6) Good university education.
It is fair to say that Nigeria has always been a country that does things back to front. It places undue prominence on educational qualifications and relegates germane experience when filling senior management positions. Granted, most senior managers have decent university qualifications in any event. Former president Jonathan appointed a hedge fund consulting sales man at Goldman Sachs with no macro fiscal experience as Finance minister (he was later moved to the trade and industry ministry) and a commercial banking CEO with no macro economic monetary experience as CBN governor (this appointee is on course to completely destroy Nigeria economically). He also appointed a lead researcher in semi conductors at an investment bank as CEO of Nigeria’s fledging Sovereign wealth fund instead of sourcing for Nigerians working as Chief Operating Officers at hedge funds or sovereign wealth funds across the world. It is fair to say that most of the appointments in the financial regulatory space were filled by people that lacked requisite experience in the roles they were appointed to fill. The current president himself followed that same path in the selection NNPC head and in his selection of Customs head. Appointing a compliance lawyer to operate as CEO of Nigeria’s major oil company at a most sensitive time was bizarre. Additionally, appointing a retired colonel from the military police unit of the army to head the Customs also mirrors the absence of thought that permeates the decision making process when appointments are being made. Former president Obasanjo hired a self promoting operations manager with no macro fiscal experience from a glorified commercial bank (known as the world bank) as Finance minister. At least he micro managed her. She was left to work unhindered by President Jonathan and later bankrupted FG finances and left the Nigerian state mired in debt.
To some people, the above mentioned appointments were “merit” based. To others, the appointments reflected nothing other than poor judgment.
Mr Omokri’s reference to Nigeria’s win at AFCON 2013 to illustrate “merit” at work was dubious. Nigeria played only one major team in that tournament. That team was Ivory Coast. The winning goal was more a feature of goal keeping error than anything else. It is instructive that of the 5 teams that represented Africa in the world cup in 2014 the year later, Nigeria only came across one of them in their route to victory in AFCON 2013. That team later “progressed’ to defeats in the confederation cup, won one highly disputed win in four games in the world cup and a failure to qualify in the AFCON 2015. So much for the restricted background of the 2013 Nigeria football team. The under 17 2013 world cup winners produced great football and graduated to become Africa’s under 20 champions with a team that reflected Nigerians from all over Nigeria.
If “merit” is used, Nigeria’s army may be filled from top to bottom from people of two or three southern tribes. What Boko Haram has taught us is that people from the region that gets 4 out of 200 as cut off marks has great skills in innovation, lateral thinking, strategic thought and courage. These people started an insurgency 6 years ago with no money, no weapons, no foreign government support or recognition and had no state or region it had executive control over. Within 6 years it built its army up to such an extent that an established army (reporting to a ph.d graduate holder with billions of dollars at its disposal) were running from the war front on account of lack of weapons!! Nigeria has had to get the support of armies of four border countries to retake land and win battles. Generals Minimah and Ihejirika proved to be very poor war commanders (despite their numerous foreign training courses) when faced with a less educated yet more intelligent, ruthless and innovative fighting force. Biafra (by contrast) had most of Nigeria’s Sandhurst trained officers amongst its ranks, controlled the Eastern region finances for 11 months from Gowon’s ascendancy to the declaration of Biafra yet were poorly led by a more academically accomplished leader lacking in common sense, intelligence, innovation of thought and strategy. In the end, its insurgency collapsed within 2 years leaving behind a starved embittered population.
Federal Character was a feature of the 1979 constitution. However, we know that corruption had been rampant (to a lesser degree than the present time of course) as far back as Prime Minister Balewa’s time. I have never known of a medical condition where its symptoms predate the actual medical condition itself. A country whose bureaucracy (due to the application of “merit”) is dominated by one or two tribes, in a country with over 450 tribes, is a country that will see civil unrest sooner than later. North and South have produced people of outstanding skills and perceptions. Those skills may be different but no less important. Nigeria should properly make use of its broad tribal base and continue to recruit the best from all parts of the country. A diverse work place produces the most innovative of ideas. Most of the successful companies around the world have one of the most diverse work forces. Nigeria is on the right track. It should be allowed to continue its progression (albeit at a faster pace). More effort most be expended to increase educational training for youths in Northern Nigeria. A lot of geniuses reside there with their potential left unexploited by Nigeria. A government populated by one tribe for reasons of “merit” means decisions, perceptions, errors and biases are being reinforced and not challenged! The country will be worse for it!!