Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF): Responsibilities And Challenges

Shagari House, Office to the Government of the Federation

On Friday, 2 May, 2023, the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, issued a statement announcing the appointments of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff (CoS) and the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS).

In the statement, the president in a meeting with Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), named former Benue State Governor and immediate past Minister of Special Duties, Sen. Dr. George Akume, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

To some of us Akume's appointment is a thing of enormous joy and happiness, especially those of us who are from the North-Central zone and Benue State in particular.

While we were celebrating I came to understand that a way too many people have no idea what it is to be Nigeria's SGF.

What are the responsibilities, duties of the SGF? Some were asking. I tried giving some light but that was to a few persons and my explainations might not have been enough.

And so I decided to put it out in writing in the hope of reaching more people who may not know what it is to be SGF.

Responsibilities

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is the most senior civil servant in the Nigerian government. The SGF is appointed by the President and is responsible for ensuring the effective coordination and monitoring of the implementation of government policies and programmes.

The SGF is a key figure in the Nigerian government and plays a vital role in ensuring that the government is able to effectively deliver on its promises to the people.

The SGF has a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Overseeing the work of the Federal Executive Council (FEC)

• Advising the President on matters of policy and administration

• Coordinating the activities of the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

• Representing the government at national and international events

• Ensuring that government finances are managed efficiently and effectively

• Promoting good governance and transparency in government

In addition to the above, the SGF also has the following specific responsibilities:

• Preparing the agenda for the FEC meetings

• Ensuring that the decisions of the FEC are implemented

• Monitoring the performance of the MDAs

• Appointing and dismissing senior civil servants

• Representing the government in legal matters

• Providing advice to the President on matters of national security

Challenges

The SGF is a powerful, critical and influential figure in the Nigerian government and politics. The SGF is responsible for ensuring that the government's policies are implemented effectively and efficiently. The SGF also plays a key role in advising the President on a range of issues and just like every leadership position, the SGF is not without some challenges.

The following are some of the key challenges facing the SGF:

• The SGF must balance the competing demands of the different ministries and departments of government.

• The SGF must ensure that the government's policies are implemented effectively and efficiently, even in the face of limited resources.

• The SGF must provide sound advice to the President on a range of complex and challenging issues.

• The SGF must maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people.

Conclusion

The SGF is a demanding and challenging position. However, the SGF also has the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the development of Nigeria. The SGF can help to ensure that the government is effective and efficient, and that the Nigerian people are represented and protected. The SGF is also responsible for ensuring that the government is accountable to the people.

I stand to be corrected in case I'm wrong about some of the responsibilities of the SGF. You can as well add more of them in the comment box below.

.