The term Modernization as used in Nigeria, especially in the public sector, denotes a move from analogue to digital; a move supposedly meant to introduce if not bring about automation in government businesses.

Regrettably and very unfortunately so, billions of dollars spent “Modernizing” have done very little if anything, in achieving the desired efficiency, seamlessness and paperlessnes which the money gulping modernization agenda by government agencies set out to achieve.

Nigeria’s private sector managed by Nigerians are not into Modernization as embarked upon by its public sector counterpart.

Government officials and politicians have repeatedly admitted that Government has no business being in business. Regardless, the same government officials are into multinational businesses in diverse sectors.

Whereas the public sector takes foreign loans, enter into partnerships,  seek collaborators and sign MoUs, just to achieve Modernization at huge cost to country and people, the private sector either rejig its management, tweak its operational modus/modules, goes after the best brains (within and outside the shores of Nigeria) to enhance its services and operations, ensuring reduced overheads/liabilities, the public managers seems ever set to outdo one another in yearly budgetary Modernization costs.

Annually, computers are bought in billions.  Vehicles, chairs/tables, stationeries and other sundry office consumables are budgeted for in billions as well in order to Modernize.

Travels and tours by officials to under study modernization/automation processes in other countries are in annual calendars. The cost as proposed, traditionally increased and passed by the National Assembly is in billions even as the modernization “agenda”  appears as far and as illusory as efforts at industrialization-so much so that “it is cheaper to import” is becoming, if it has not become already, a national way of life.

The loans taken, money spent thus far to Modernize different agencies are more than enough to bring to full operation a Modern, Automated, highly efficient digitized city.

Could there be  some collaboration or is it Collusion between the givers of loans and the takers not to put borrowed sums into the national needs as advanced for such loans?

Does the National Assembly in its regular Oversight Visitations and Inspections ask questions?

It is our view that the time has come to enact a  National Policy on modernization to bring all government agencies together.

Having one government where different agencies embark on modernization on their own terms and conditions even as a National Single Window, NSW, debuts is a clear indication that there is neither sync nor synergy among agencies expected to make the NSW functional.