Governor Makinde Seeks Fundamental Reform of Nigeria’s Systems, Questions Petroleum Pricing Framework

Governor Makinde Seeks Fundamental Reform of Nigeria’s Systems, Questions Petroleum Pricing Framework
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‎Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called for fundamental reforms of Nigeria’s systems, institutions and structures, arguing that successive changes in government and policies have not translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of millions of Nigerians.
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‎Makinde made the call in the September edition of his newsletter titled: The Business of Governance, where he identified persistent poverty, limited economic opportunities, insecurity and ineffective institutions as some of the challenges confronting the country.
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‎He argued that Nigeria’s problems go beyond the individuals occupying public offices at any given time.
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‎According to the governor, the country must examine the systems that continue to produce outcomes that do not adequately serve the majority of Nigerians.
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‎He cited petroleum pricing as an example, questioning the continued framing of the national debate around whether fuel subsidy should be restored or whether Nigerians should pay the full market price.
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‎Makinde said the more important question should be whether Nigeria has the right petroleum pricing framework for an oil producing country.
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‎The governor stressed the need for greater transparency over the factors used to determine pump prices, including crude oil benchmarks, refining costs and margins, exchange rate assumptions, logistics and distribution costs, taxes and levies.
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‎“What Nigerians deserve to know is the current pricing framework and the assumptions that determine what we pay at the pump. These should be publicly accessible and sufficiently clear for Nigerians to interrogate the basis of the price they are paying,” he said.
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‎He also opposed the argument that Nigerians should pay higher prices for petroleum products to eliminate the price difference that encourages smuggling into neighbouring countries.
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‎The governor maintained that citizens should not bear the financial burden arising from the government’s inability to effectively secure the nation’s borders.
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‎Makinde said the proposed reform would not be limited to the petroleum sector, but would extend to Nigeria’s economy, security architecture, education system, institutions and social and political order.
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‎He said meaningful change would require accountable leadership and active citizenship, supported by a clear roadmap, measurable priorities and sustained participation by Nigerians at home and abroad.
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‎The governor added that he would continue to explain his vision and share lessons from his experience in public service, while presenting alternatives for Nigerians to consider.
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‎He also called on citizens to contribute to the conversation by identifying the areas they believe require urgent reform if the country is to work better for every Nigerian.
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