Tension grips the Federal Civil Service as President Bola Tinubu orders the implementation of the long-awaited Oronsaye Report, sparking fears of widespread job cuts among employees.
In a recent directive during a Federal Executive Council meeting, President Tinubu instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to initiate the implementation process of the 12-year-old report.
The looming specter of job losses has left workers anxious, particularly amid concerns of potential mergers within ministries, departments, and agencies.
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), led by Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, voiced concerns over the possible ramifications, urging the government to re-evaluate the report in light of current national realities.
With the nation facing socio-economic challenges and a food crisis, any abrupt job cuts could ignite mass protests and industrial unrest, warned Okon during a press conference in Abuja.
The Oronsaye Report, commissioned 12 years ago, proposed significant restructuring, including the reduction of 263 statutory agencies to 161, abolition of 38 agencies, and merging of 52 others.
Key agencies like the EFCC, ICPC, CCB, NTA, and NCC are among those earmarked for potential scrapping or consolidation, according to the report.
As the government presses forward with these reforms, the fate of thousands of civil servants hangs in the balance, raising urgent questions about the future of governance efficiency and workforce stability.