Institutional Reforms Key to Solving 80% of Nigeria’s Policy Failures – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for urgent institutional reforms, emphasizing that getting Nigeria’s frameworks right could resolve 80% of the country’s public policy challenges.

Shettima made this statement during the official presentation of the draft National Public Policy Development and Management Framework by Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery and Coordination Unit (CDCU).

Describing the framework as a “long overdue” transformation, Shettima stressed the need for a national reset in how public policies are conceived, communicated, and executed.

“If we get our institutional frameworks right, we will solve 80% of our public policy challenges,” he said, noting that sound institutions—not just strong individuals—are critical to governance.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for his bold economic reforms, saying his leadership style—combining public and private sector experience—provides the confidence and courage needed to drive major change.

The Vice President also called for policy clarity, digital governance, real-time data monitoring, and most importantly, accountability.

“Implementation without accountability is another word for lunacy,” he stated, advocating for consequences for non-performance within the framework.

Referencing former U.S. President Barack Obama, Shettima reiterated the importance of strong institutions over strong personalities, stressing the need for laws that guide governance equitably.

In her remarks, Hajiya Usman explained that the new framework emerged from the lack of a unified national policy guide. She said ministries and government agencies had been working in silos, leading to policy inconsistencies, inefficiencies, and duplication of efforts.

“At the beginning of this administration, we discovered that the federal government had no standardized document detailing how policies should be conceptualized,” she revealed.

She assured that the draft framework—developed through collaboration with key national institutions and stakeholders—would address systemic issues and restore coherence, structure, and public trust in governance.