Center ‘skeptical’ of FG’s performance management system, cites unfulfilled policies

The Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) has reacted to the Performance Management System (PMS) inauguration by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, as part of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP).

Noting that the initiative’s objective of promoting transparency and accountability in service delivery is commendable, CeFTPI expressed concern over the pattern of unfulfilled promises that have characterized similar policy pronouncements in the past.

A statement by Victor Agi, Head of Public Relations, said the Nigerian government has, over the years, made repeated commitments to reform and accountability, yet little has been done in terms of follow-through or transparency.

Agi noted that the promise to implement the Oronsaye Report, which recommended the rationalisation of federal agencies to reduce waste and inefficiency, remains largely unfulfilled more than a year after the government joined its predecessors in publicly committing to its implementation.

The civil society organization said that in contrast with their demands and expectations, the Nigerian people have watched how the government has ballooned the cost of governance with duplication of roles and agencies.

The statement recalled that earlier in the current administration, the government announced that ministers and ministries would be assessed using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), with clear deliverables set to track progress.

“However, these assessments were never made available for public scrutiny, thereby defeating the very essence of accountability,” it notes. “The launch of another performance monitoring initiative, without a concrete mechanism for public access and independent oversight, raises questions about the government’s sincerity.”

CeFTPI insists that announcements alone are not reforms, saying if the government is serious about performance and accountability, it must be willing to subject itself to external evaluation and open its processes to Nigerians.

The Center recommends the integration of its Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) into the implementation framework of the PMS. Developed to assess the openness, ethical standards, and accountability of public institutions, the TII offers a credible, data-driven framework that complements performance evaluation.

The Index evaluates key variables such as public access to procurement processes, institutional anti-corruption measures, budget disclosures, and citizen engagement, all of which are fundamental to a truly accountable public service.

CeFTPI said if the PMS would be more than just another bureaucratic catchphrase, the SGF must demonstrate political will by endorsing transparency-oriented tools like the TII and other good governance measurement indicators, and ensure that MDAs are monitored internally and assessed through independent benchmarks.

“Accountability must begin from the top,” the statement added. “Without genuine commitment to transparency, beyond internal memos and high-level launches, the PMS risks joining the long list of abandoned reforms. Nigerians deserve a public service that not only talks about performance but also proves it with facts, data, and open access to information.”