The Accidental Public Servant

by Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai

This is a story of Nigeria, told from the inside. After a successful career in the private sector, Nasir El-Rufai rose to the top ranks of Nigeria's political hierarchy, serving first as the privatization czar at the Bureau for Public Enterprises and then as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja under former President Olesegun Obasanjo. In this tell-all memoir, El-Rufai reflects on a life in public service to Nigeria, the enormous challenges faced by the country, and what can be done while calling on a new generation of leaders to take the country back from the brink of destruction. The shocking revelations disclosed by El-Rufai about the formation of the current leadership and the actions of prominent statesmen make this memoir required reading for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of power politics in Africa's most populous nation.

Genres: Nigeria, Nonfiction, History, Autobiography

712 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Morenike · Rating 4 out of 5]

So El'Rufai pretty much comes across like a genius in this book! He really does a good job pretending to be humble while totally gloating almost the entire time, but if you are able to ignore the extended conceitedness brimming through the book, he really is brilliant.

I think this book is a must read for any Nigerian who wonders: How do things really work in Nigerian Public Service? or, What is the magic by which one might effect systems level change in a shattered system enveloped by broken hopes?

I also loved the raw emotion and earnest way he speaks about his relationships and power dynamics therein.

[Essien Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The man that wrote this book VS the present Kaduna state government.

He was right on one part of his book.
Hypocrisy is the hallmark of great leaders.
Quite informative.

[Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anybody that wishes to have a knowledge of how the Nigerian government is run and manage, how corruption is being institutionalize and practice with utmost freedom and respect, The Accidental Public Servant is his most read book.

Although I didn't agree with every fact in the book I have a tremendous respect for the Author, and the book makes me realize the effort that was put by those who participate with a sincere mind during the OBJ administration, hence I found some stories to be out of place in the book. And the book makes me understand Baba OBJ as a true nationalist and elder statesman.

And lastly, my comment will end with a question to El-Rufai on whether there would be "An Accidental Public Servant 2" Because as someone who raises all this obstacles that are dragging our nation backwards, he should be able to give out the remedies and solutions to all the problems and the final book should be base on the Nigerian Success Story.

[Nkenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

El-Rufai really did a good one for Nigerians, this is the closest i've come to understanding the political intrigues of Nigeria both Military and civilian Era dynamics. Naturally, El-Rufai left out the bad and ugly and presents us with the good of his time as an "accidental public servant" of-course I don't believe anything about the "accidental". What I really appreciate is that he went to great trouble to share this knowledge that might never have found it's way out, it doesn't matter that this revelation does depict him as utterly flawless, we know better, what matters to me is that "it is", and I will wish some other career public servants will have what it takes to share with the rest of us, what goes on behind the curtains. Reading this book felt akin to graduating from a school of Nigerian Political science, my level of respect for this man just went on steroids. A must read for any Nigerian who cares about anything to do with his country.

[Okechukwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring, and awesome, i believe 98 percent of what was said in the book.
very educational too, i learned a lot from it like COMPARTMENTALIZATION, to name a few.

[Khalid Gimba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read gave me the insight I needed in order to plan on what to expect on getting into public service and all the travails of typical public servant... Couldn't recommend it more

[Akin O · Rating 3 out of 5]

This account of Nasir's time in government is forthright and as blunt as the man. It is incredibly detailed and the author must have surely kept huge diaries, something all public officers should do.

There are a few typos and spelling errors that suggest a more thorough edit could have been done. But, overall, reading this book was an excellent way to start the year.

[Davidson Ajaegbu]

I believe every Nigerian should read this book to understand the intricacies of public service and the policking that goes on behind the scenes of government.

[AB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue!!!

[Rayhaanah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read into Nigeria's public services and its political landscape.