Inconsistency, absence of coherence have negatively affected our policy implementation – SGF
George Akume
Inconsistency, absence of coherence have negatively affected our policy implementation
Inconsistency, absence of coherence have negatively affected our policy implementation.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has identified inconsistency and lack of coherence as major obstacles to effective policy management in Nigeria.
Akume warned that fragmentation across government institutions is slowing down national progress.
Speaking at the validation session for the Draft National Policy Development and Management Framework on Tuesday, Akume noted that duplication and misalignment of policies among ministries, departments, and agencies have resulted in inefficiencies, making it difficult to achieve critical governance goals.
“Over the years, one of the recurring challenges of policy management in Nigeria has been the lack of coherence and consistency. This has led to inefficiencies that hinder the implementation of interventions meant to accelerate national progress,” he said.
To address these challenges, he explained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is introducing a structured and institutionalized approach to policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
The proposed framework, he said, aligns with international best practices while remaining deeply rooted in the Nigerian context.
“Policymaking is not a theoretical exercise; it is a practical governance tool. It must not only define priorities but also provide clear implementation pathways, assign institutional responsibilities, and establish mechanisms for tracking impact,” the SGF stated.
Inconsistency, absence of coherence have negatively affected our policy implementation.
Akume reiterated that effective governance depends on strategic coordination, institutional synergy, and policy coherence, saying, “As the coordinating body for government-wide policies, the Office of the SGF is committed to ensuring that national policies are well-conceived, harmonized, and effectively implemented.”
The validation session, according to Akume, is an opportunity to refine the framework into an enduring instrument for governance, ensuring that policies are data-driven, aligned with national goals, and responsive to the country’s evolving needs.
He urged stakeholders—including policymakers, technocrats, development partners, and civil society—to actively engage in the process and ensure that the framework does not remain a document but becomes an effective tool for governance transformation.
“As we refine this framework, we move closer to institutionalizing a governance culture where policies seamlessly translate into tangible outcomes for all Nigerians,” Akume added.
Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination/Head, Central Results Delivery and Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the incumbent administration is actively addressing long-standing gaps within the policy ecosystem.
Usman identified such gaps to include policy inconsistency, inadequate clarity around policy formulation and implementation processes, as well as the absence of a unified standard across government institutions.
She said, “The development of this Framework was driven by a clear and pressing need. A review of Nigeria’s existing policy landscape revealed significant gaps—inconsistencies in policy structure, policy overlaps, limited coordination, and challenges in implementation and monitoring.
“These challenges often undermine the effectiveness of otherwise well-intentioned policies and hinder the achievement of national goals. This framework is therefore our collective response: a tool designed to address these gaps, clarify roles and processes, and for a more coherent, streamlined, and effective approach to policymaking.”
