Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has provided a damning insider’s account of the institutional decay plaguing key Nigerian agencies, revealing that a staggering 62-step bureaucratic process was required to pay a single contractor during his tenure as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In a revealing interview on The Exchange Podcast, hosted by Femi Soneye, he described how such inefficiency directly breeds corruption, calling it an “opportunistic situation.”

The former Senate Leader lamented that the NDDC, a “well conceived” intervention, has been rendered ineffective by the abandonment of its foundational master plan and constant political interference. He revealed that his own board was dissolved via a news ticker, without any formal communication, highlighting the instability that hinders proper planning.

Ndoma-Egba’s critique extended to the National Assembly, an institution he argued is still suffering from the legacy of prolonged military rule. He recalled the public’s perception of the legislature as an unnecessary “irritant,” a sentiment exacerbated by incidents like the “furniture allowance saga,” which he claimed was widely misunderstood by the public.

Comparing past and present governance, he noted that in 1984, he was appointed a commissioner overseeing a portfolio that would today constitute over twelve ministries. While acknowledging the need to manage the cost of governance, he argued that an excessive cut often sacrifices efficiency at the altar of frugality.

He identified a “cultural” problem as the core of Nigeria’s institutional weakness, citing a societal timidity in holding leaders accountable and an unhealthy deference to authority. This cultural shift, he argued, is reflected in the stark contrast between the modest lifestyles of first-generation leaders and the material acquisitions of modern public officers.

Now serving as Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ndoma-Egba faces a different challenge: managing “supersonic speed” growth. He revealed the 14-year-old institution now has 60,000 students and is the fourth most sought-after university in Nigeria, a success he attributes to a stable academic calendar and strong community relations.

On Nigeria’s youth bulge, Ndoma-Egba stated that it is only an asset if coupled with education, skills, and opportunity. “If they are not educated, if they are not skilled, if they are not empowered, they become a curse,” he warned, emphasising the need for deliberate youth empowerment policies.

His vision for the future is a “secure and prosperous Nigeria,” a goal he believes is achievable by learning from the past. He nostalgically recalled a more industrious era with functional factories across the north, a far cry from the current economic landscape.

Despite the challenges, his personal journey—from a 24-year-old board member to Senate Leader—stands as a testament to the opportunities that can exist for the youth, provided the right environment is created by a purposeful state. (The Nation)