It’s Independence Day. So let’s look at those who have made a difference in the area of governance.
This is the toughest. For the pool is small. And chinks abound in the armor of just about everyone in this category. It gets worse because the memory of anything decent is faint and fading, leading to a possible recency bias.
In picking my Top 10 in Governance, I have dragged the net wide yet make no pretense of my bias against the military in general. Sadly, there’s little to chose from those who have been Presidents or Heads of State. So I have looked more closely for “role players”, persons who in their specific roles showed what’s possible when quality is allowed to rise to the top. Let’s go!
1. ERNEST NDUKWE
Engineer. Regulator. CEO of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), 2000-2010. The man to whom Nigeria owes the growth of its communications industry. When he took office, there were less than 500K telephone lines in the country. When he left, more than 100m. More importantly, he managed the process so smoothly, insulating it from politics and the usual “Nigeria Factor” to global acclaim. It was so good that many global firms who stayed away in fear of Nigeria’s unstable environment came to regret it. I often tell people that the NCC provides Nigeria with the best template in what a regulatory agency should be and if we can replicate it in other sectors, a lot will be better. The man who made it so is Ndukwe, by my reckoning the best industry regulator Nigeria has ever had.
2. DORA AKUNYILI
Pharmacist. Regulator. Administrator. CEO of NAFDAC (2001-2008). Another who made her name as a Regulator. Few Nigerians knew what NAFDAC was about until Dora headed the agency. Before she did, fake drugs was rampant and an easy way to make (blood) money. She largely put an end to it, turning NAFDAC to a riot squad that faced down wealthy cartels. She became Minister of Information later on and while success in that role was mixed, few will forget her bold and forthright position when a “cabal” sought to rule over the country while President Yar’Adua was hobbled by ill-health. And who can forget her “Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation” campaign.
3. SIMEON ADEBO
Administrator. Lawyer. Diplomat. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations (1962-67). Deputy Secretary-General of the UN (1969-72). Nigeria’s diplomatic history will be incomplete without a chapter dedicated to this man. Nigeria, like most African countries, was new on the international stage in the early 1960s. It fell on Adebo to build from the ground up. He did this so brilliantly that after leaving his role, the UN was happy to have him back as D-SG. Possibly Nigeria’s greatest diplomat.
4. LATEEF KAYODE JAKANDE
Journalist. Administrator. As Governor of Lagos State (1979-1983), he put in work that sets him apart till this day. His Low-Cost Housing Schemes still litter the State. His Free Education opened up opportunities for many and drew thousands from other parts of the country to the State. His road construction saw the opening of the Lekki-Epe corridor. The Lagos State Secretariat stands to this day as a signpost of his time in office. Another 4 years of him and Lagos may well have had a world class Metro – the plans were already in place when the military moved in. “Baba Kekere” stands head and shoulders above everyone who has ever led a State in Nigeria’s Federation.
5. YAKUBU “JACK” GOWON
Soldier. I had no intention of picking any military man. But I make an exception for Jack. Nigeria was at the point of disintegration in 1966/67. And it fought a civil war for almost 3 years. Gowon, a 32 year when he became Head of State, was the man in the saddle and the continuing existence of the country today is down to him. Facing pressure from just about every corner, he managed the difficult task of putting together a coalition that enabled a focused prosecution of the war. Crucially, the aftermath was so peaceful and largely devoid of “revenge”, leading one foreign commentator to assert that, “Nigeria may have little to teach the world about war. But it does have a lot to teach it about peace and reconciliation”. There are downsides to Gowon. But his leadership under the greatest pressure in Nigeria’s history was exemplary.
6. DONALD DUKE
Lawyer. Administrator. Governor of Cross River State (1999-2007). The man who made tourism attractive in Nigeria. Duke turned his State into a Mecca, with a single minded focus on building a tourism economy for his state in the face of dwindling oil revenues. Calabar Carnival became a month long festival of celebrations, attracting visitors from far and wide. Obudu Cattle Ranch became a favoured holiday destination (complete with a functional airstrip). The world class TINAPA Resort was completed and formally launched too. And, oh, has there ever been a cleaner state capital than Calabar under him? His successors have frittered it all away. But the memory of Donald’s time remains strong.
7. EMEKA ANYAOKU
Diplomat. Secretary-General of the Commonwealth (1990-2000). When he took up the post, the Commonwealth was in near disarray, with black nations in open mutiny over Britain’s refusal to impose economic sanctions on Apartheid South Africa. Several other global events (including the economic downturn witnessed by many members) had all come together, leading many to advocate the dissolution of the association of former British colonies. Anyaoku turned the tide and by the time he left office, the Commonwealth was in the best health possible – to the point where it was admitting new members like Cameroon. Not even Nigeria’s suspension from the organisation (under Sani Abacha) could dampen the impact he had. A truly great diplomat.
8. NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA
Economist. Administrator. Minister of Finance (2003-2006, 2011-2015). Plucked from the relative obscurity of the World Bank, she came and she impacted. With her leading the way, Nigeria managed to extricate itself from decades of mounting debt to the London and Paris Clubs of creditors. Over $30B wiped out. She also introduced several innovations designed to close gaping holes that drained resources from government. The Excess Crude Account, Sovereign Wealth Fund, Treasury Single Account, Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC) are all down to her. NOI remains a Star wherever she steps her foot on.
9. OLIKOYE RANSOME-KUTI
Paediatrician. Academic. Administrator. Minister of Health (1985-1992). The only constant in the Government of Ibrahim Babangida (who delighted in changing officials with indecent regularity). Professor Ransome-Kuti redesigned the nation’s health services with a new focus on primary healthcare. Many of the primary health centers that dot the country today are a result of his work. He was also a co-founder of the Society for Family Health (SFH), an NGO that led the fight against maternal and child mortality as well the HIV/AIDS scourge in Nigeria. We have not had a minister of Health come close to what he achieved.
10. GHALI UMAR NA’ABBA
Legislator. Speaker of the House of Representatives (2000-2003). Unlike the Senate, the House of Representatives has built a reputation for independence over the years. This is largely down to the example set by Na’Abba who, as Speaker, put the house on a constant collision with President Obasanjo. OBJ came into office in 1999 determined to act like an Emperor with little or no checks from the Legislature. Na’Abba wasn’t having it and even instituted impeachment proceedings against the President. He paid a huge political price for his efforts (including being denied of his party’s ticket for reelection). But his legacy in the House lives on.
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! A Great Country filled with Good People!!