It was only a matter of time for PFIPC with 1,316 MDAs in place, says Adekunle Adekoya

Nigeria's experience as a nation can be aptly described as one day, one trouble, a phrase that echoes the title of a popular Nollywood comedy-drama movie, One Day One Trouble, which tells the story of a man navigating various jobs and a cantankerous wife, only to have his life turned upside down by a wealthy woman.

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This movie title bears a striking resemblance to a novel, One Week, One Trouble, written by Anezi Okoro, a professor of skin diseases, which chronicles the adventures of a young boy in a secondary boarding school, highlighting the complexities of life in Nigeria.

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The latest trouble to beset the nation is the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, headed by Prince Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi, a situation that has left many wondering about the authenticity of the agency.

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The government's claim that the PFIPC is a fake agency, with its director-general being an impersonator, has raised eyebrows, and the use of the term "sakamanje" - a Nigerian street word describing sleight of hand or clever manipulation - seems apt in this context.

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As the president and his men grapple with this issue, it is worth noting that the problem may not be an isolated one, and that the sheer number of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs, may be contributing to the chaos.

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In 2012, there were 541 MDAs, a number that was deemed unwieldy, prompting then-President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to commission a panel headed by Mr. Steve Oronsaye to streamline the system.

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The report that followed led to the release of a white paper, which was later revisited by President Buhari in August 2022, with a second white paper, although the implementation of the report remains unclear.

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Upon taking office, President Tinubu established an eight-man committee with a 12-week timeline to implement the necessary reforms, as announced by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, but the outcome of this effort has yet to be seen.

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The committee, comprising key government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Attorney General, was tasked with ensuring efficient implementation of the reforms, but two years have passed with little progress.

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The number of MDAs has since ballooned to 1,316, a staggering increase that has created an environment ripe for exploitation, making it difficult for even a "superman" to oversee all of them effectively.

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With such a vast and unwieldy system, it is possible for fictitious agencies to be created, and the PFIPC may not be an isolated case, highlighting the need for President Tinubu to downsize the government and scrutinize the MDAs more closely.

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The Nigeria Police Force has recently made notable accomplishments, including the Ogun Police Command's swift resolution of the murder of Ms. Kitan Oyesiku, a retired TV broadcaster, within two weeks, a testament to their capabilities.

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The Police in Ogun and Lagos states, led by Commissioners Bode Ojajuni and Fatai Tijani, have also launched Operation Kosaye, which has boosted public confidence in their abilities, and the police in Delta State have engaged kidnappers in a gun battle, rescuing victims and demonstrating their effectiveness.

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These achievements warrant commendation, and the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force deserve accolades for their efforts, which may have mitigated the need for state police if they had always performed at this level.