By Abidemi Adebamiwa
Elon Musk, the trailblazer behind Tesla and SpaceX, is often celebrated as a problem-solver who takes on the impossible. But could his bold, entrepreneurial mindset fix Nigeria’s bureaucracy? It’s a fascinating question that Prof. Tunji Olaopa explores in his article, Perspectives on Elon Musk as Reform Lead for US Federal Bureaucracy. Having worked at Tesla during Musk’s leadership, I’ve seen some of his transformative ideas in action—but bringing them into public governance, especially in Nigeria, is another challenge entirely.
At Tesla, one thing that stood out was Musk’s open-door policy. Unlike at Amazon, where hierarchy felt rigid, Musk was approachable, fostering a culture where ideas flowed freely. This level of transparency and accessibility was inspiring. But could this approach work in government? Bureaucracies aren’t built for speed and disruption. They prioritize stability and consensus.
Yet, Musk’s methods, with some adjustments, could offer valuable lessons. Charles Lindblom’s classic essay, The Science of Muddling Through, provides an insightful perspective here. Lindblom argued that bureaucracies thrive on incremental changes rather than sweeping overhauls, ensuring stability while adapting gradually to new challenges.
Take innovation, for example. Governments could develop programs that encourage employees to pitch ideas and test them, just like intrapreneurs in a company. Simplifying overly complicated processes—a hallmark of Musk’s style—could also make administration more efficient. Most importantly, Musk’s emphasis on transparency and accountability, driven by data, could help cut through corruption by focusing on measurable results rather than unnecessary bureaucracy.
Nepotism remains a persistent issue in Nigeria, as highlighted in Lasisi Olagunju’s thought-provoking article, In Defense of Nepotism. Olagunju underscores how favoritism based on kinship or regional ties frequently overshadows competence in public appointments. Leaders like Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari have strategically placed allies in key positions to secure loyalty, often at a steep cost. These practices not only erode public trust but also alienate citizens and weaken institutional frameworks.
Now imagine a scenario where appointments were driven by performance metrics rather than personal affiliations. It would undoubtedly be transformative. However, achieving this would demand significant political will and the establishment of strong safeguards to dismantle deeply entrenched patronage networks.
Interestingly, Nigeria has already seen some success with technology-driven reforms. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) has improved financial transparency, while the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has reduced ghost workers in the civil service. These successes demonstrate that when done right, innovation can work in Nigeria. Musk-like principles, such as using data to optimize spending and simplify public services, could build on these foundations.
But let’s be realistic. Implementing these changes won’t be easy. Nigeria’s deeply rooted patronage system resists transparency-focused reforms. Additionally, Musk’s top-down leadership style might not align with the collaborative processes required in a democracy. Rapid decision-making without adequate checks and balances could erode trust even further.
Still, there’s hope. Targeted experiments could bring Musk-like ideas to life in Nigeria. Streamlining procurement, automating administrative functions, and fostering innovation hubs within government could be effective starting points. Nigeria’s tech-savvy youth population is an asset that could drive e-governance and digital service delivery. The key is to adapt Musk’s boldness to fit Nigeria’s unique challenges.
As Prof. Olaopa emphasizes, reform must be incremental and adaptive, respecting the complexities of governance. And as Olagunju reminds us, addressing nepotism and favoritism is crucial. Real change will require blending Musk’s innovative principles with thoughtful, gradual steps. It’s not about copying Musk outright but about learning from his approach to build a bureaucracy that works for everyone.
Can Musk’s big ideas transform Nigeria? Not overnight. But with bold thinking, careful planning, and a commitment to fairness and transparency, we just might be able to spark the change Nigeria so urgently needs.
Abidemi Adebamiwa writes from Pleasanton, California, USA
