The Benefits of Strategic Outsourcing in the Public Sector
My attention was drawn to a very robust, scholarly piece written by a fine gentleman who I describe as a self appointed critic of the state of Abia and the Executive Governor.
In a recent WhatsApp spat, the celebrated Critic, a decorated former commissioner of finance in Abia State, warned me never to respond to his mails. I replied him kindly that his criticism are public materials and public non-material. I’ll respond also in kind.
I have enjoyed most sincerely defending the government on a daily basis, not because I want an appointment as I have been accused of riding on the backs of some appointees. I quickly reminded them that I wasn’t jobless either. I am a senior Lecturer in a federal University, with four visiting assignments and a host consultancies. I went further to explain that I live in a very poor neighborhood in Abuja helping poor kids attend nursery to secondary quasi-free for over 14 years now. This friendly critic of mine has been scrolling all my past posts on social media for 9 days in a row. I am a public figure whose data available publicly. Therefore, I do what I do daily with Joy. I am responding to this article: Shameless Cover Up of A Drowning Admininstration Caught in the Act published by News Mirror.
Now, having discussed my new found friend and state critic, I am responding as a counter critic. The beautiful thing about this business is that we both form a community of learned friends. It’s exciting to posit and another counter posits. We are both not on government payroll and passionate about our positions. Why should my friend, a whole former commissioner of finance but bothered about a simple university teacher who chose to act in kind as he is? I wonder ooooo. Besides, he has enjoyed the plum job of a commissioner, with all the perks that come with the Job. Let me guy relax joor!!
Anyway, outsourcing certain responsibilities, even those typically handled by the Attorney General for instance, is a common practice in many countries, including Nigeria. This strategic decision aims to tap into specialized expertise, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. In today’s globalized economy, outsourcing has become vital for organizations to stay competitive. By outsourcing non-core functions, the Attorney General’s office can focus on primary responsibilities such as providing legal advice to the government and enforcing laws.
The benefits of outsourcing include cost savings by leveraging lower costs in other regions, access to specialized skills not available in-house, and increased efficiency through streamlined operations. Concerns about capacity and competence are unwarranted, as outsourcing is merely a resource allocation strategy. To ensure accountability, contracts should include clear performance metrics and monitoring mechanisms.
In Nigeria, outsourcing aligns with various laws and regulations, including the Public Procurement Act 2007, National Policy on Public-Private Partnership, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, and Legal Practitioners Act. These laws enable the Attorney General’s office to engage external experts, seek external counsel, and partner with private sector entities for efficient service delivery.
Outsourcing or hiring contractors enhances efficiency, provides specialized expertise, manages workload and capacity constraints, and offers cost-effective solutions. The Attorney General’s office can outsource specific tasks while maintaining oversight and accountability, reflecting strategic resource management rather than lack of capacity. This practice allows the office to stay focused on core functions while leveraging external expertise to support specific projects or initiatives.
Dr Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke writes from the University of Abuja Nigeria.
