When a new government comes to power in Nigeria the first and most important task which they face is to reward those that labored for their victory. They are given juicy appointments into top government agencies in Nigeria. Currently, there are over 300 Ministries Department and Agencies in Nigeria but only a few have been popular for political reasons.
Agencies are created to help in the execution of government activities more efficiently. They are often classified under Ministries Departments and agencies of government. They are often headed by professional administrators who guide the implementation of government policies.
Top government agencies in Nigeria become heavily politicized. Big names in the political scene lobby and jostle for positions in these government agencies. Those who cannot personally occupy the positions submit names to fillip the slots allotted to them. This is because of the undue advantage that some of these MDAs have.
Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) is the most powerful agency of government in Nigeria. It is presently headed by a group managing director. Most politicians jostle to be in the agency while others have slots for employment where they fix political loyalists. The NNPC generates billions of naira in revenue and it is also home to the vilest cases of corruption in Nigeria. That is why President Buhari appointed himself as the minister of petroleum.
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
The Niger Delta Development Commission set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo has received huge financial support from the federal government. To date, it is still one of the most influential agencies of government in Nigeria because it covers many states in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the chief financial regulator of all financial institutions in Nigeria. It is headed by a governor, deputy governor and other managers who take critical financial decisions for the country.
Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS)
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) handles all issues that relate to obtaining national passports and movement in and out of the country. The high rate of corruption in the agency has also made it popular among lobbyists.
Nigerian Custom Service (NCS)
Nigerian custom service mans all national borders of the country both land and sea. They control the influx of imported products into the country and have also been named in corrupt activities despite efforts to control corruption in the country.
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