Seun Onigbinde: Service Or Sell-out -By Patrick O. Okigbo

Nigeria social media is in overdrive with news that Oluseun “Seun” Onigbinde has accepted an advisory role in government. Seun is an open-data analyst who, in 2011, co-founded BudgIT, a civil society organisation that advocates fiscal transparency in government. With trailblazing doggedness, Seun and BudgIT have used official government data to publicise, demystify and monitor the fiscal spending of the Goodluck Jonathan and Mohammadu Buhari governments.

My initial reaction to his appointment was apprehension for two distinct reasons. The first is the risk of a conflict of interest. Can BudgIT continue to objectively monitor and evaluate government fiscal spending while its co-founder and significant owner is an advisor to the same government institution? How will Nigerians, who are already reputed for their scepticism, receive subsequent reports from the firm? Will BudgIT reports still be deemed as credible even when they accurately communicate the data? It would be a shame to see the firm lose its standing in the governance and accountability space as it has come to play an important role in its niche as well as become the poster child for holding government’s feet to the fire.

The second reason is the sentiment that as a technocrat, who historically has held government accountable, Seun may lose his ‘street cred’ and sell out to the siren call of public sector. After a valiant attempt, will he eventually accept his inability to effect change from within? Then resign himself to doing the little he can in the midst of the stifling government bureaucracy, nepotism and/or corruption? Would Nigeria have lost another rising technocrat?

In the 24 hours since the announcement, Seun has been in the eye of the social media storm. It appears that for every person who has congratulated him for his appointment, there are at least three others who have castigated him. Tolu Ogunlesi, celebrated journalist and author, faced a similar storm in 2015 when he accepted a role as Special Assistant on Digital/New Media to President Buhari. Nigeria’s social media is vicious.

Seun did not get much reprieve when a Twitter exchange between him and the late scholar, Prof. Pius Adesanmi, surfaced on the internet. As they say, the internet never forgets. On 02 April 2018, Prof. Adesanmi tweeted:

“I once said in a lecture that the day I hear that Seun Onigbinde has left BudgIT to be special adviser to any yeye somebody at d state level or Presidency is when I will give up on Nigeria and seek asylum in Burkina Faso. Our best brains go in to be ruined.”

Quite prescient for Prof. Adesanmi, you must say. Seun replied on the same day with a Tweet saying:

“Prof, not going anywhere. No special advisers. I can advise through policy documents. Until I am certain that the guy at the top gets the art of governance, I will stay on this curve. Everyday, I am worried about our legislature. Just that walking in alone is a dot in the gloom.”

Many commentators have called Seun out on this tweet but I am not sure why. On the one hand, Prof. Adesanmi’s fear was that well-intentioned technocrats get into government and are unable to sustainably change the system. Similarly, in his response to Prof. Adesanmi, Seun made it clear that he would work with a government if the principal understands the art of governance. The Principal, in this case, is Clem Agba, the new Minister of State (Budget and National Planning), and appears to understand the “art of governance”. He is an ex-senior executive at Chevron where he oversaw a business with 1,600 staff. He recently served as a Commissioner in Edo State where he held various portfolios. I understand that BudgIT has been providing services to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning on open-data and that it is on account of the good work they have been doing that Seun was invited to take up the advisory role.

On the one hand, I feel for Seun as he weathers the storm. On the other, I am glad that Nigerians are getting more engaged. The public dialogue on this “Seungate” is reassuring because it demonstrates that Nigerians are paying attention.

My intent is not to hold court for Seun. The more critical issue is the vicious opposition that greets technocrats when they accept these government roles. I fear that the public immolation may prevent other well-intentioned individuals from venturing into the public sector quagmire. I wonder how we can, in one breath demand merit-based appointments in government, and in the same breath, castigate them when they occur.

While some may portend that many technocrats have sold out to juicy government positions, it is important to give the new ones the benefit of the doubt and, even more importantly, our support. However, Nigerians should remain vigilant and not hesitate to call them out when they fail to deliver. That is the responsibility of the engaged citizen. As I already shared with Seun, I am passionately rooting for his success in this new role but will equally passionately call him out if he veers off course.

To all the Seuns, fear not, jump in and give it your best shot!

Patrick O. Okigbo III
Abuja, Nigeria