Fuel Subsidy: Nigerians Shouldn’t Bear Cost Of Govt’s Inability To Secure Borders –Gov Makinde
Fuel Subsidy: Nigerians Shouldn’t Bear Cost Of Govt’s Inability To Secure Borders –Gov Makinde
The governor said despite changes in government and the introduction of new policies over the years, millions of Nigerians remain trapped in poverty, while many families struggle to make meaningful progress.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said Nigeria’s persistent economic, security and institutional challenges go beyond the individuals occupying public offices, arguing that the country needs a fundamental reset of its systems and structures.
Makinde, who is the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate in the 2027 election, made the remarks in his latest newsletter, where he outlined his proposed “Reset Nigeria” movement aimed at rebuilding the country’s institutions and governance systems.
The governor said despite changes in government and the introduction of new policies over the years, millions of Nigerians remain trapped in poverty, while many families struggle to make meaningful progress.
“Over the years, we have changed governments, introduced new policies and promised ourselves new beginnings. Yet, for millions of Nigerians, the fundamental outcomes have remained largely the same,” he said.
“Too many of our people are still trapped in poverty. Too many families work hard without experiencing real progress. Too many young Nigerians are unable to see a clear path from education to opportunity.”
Makinde also cited insecurity and weak public institutions as persistent problems affecting Nigerians.
“Insecurity continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods, while many of the institutions created to serve the people do not work as effectively as they should,” he said.
According to him, the situation shows that Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved merely by changing the people in government.
“This tells us that Nigeria’s challenge is bigger than the individuals occupying public office at any particular time. We must address the systems, institutions and structures that continue to reproduce outcomes that do not serve the majority of our people,” he said.
Makinde Questions Nigeria’s Petroleum Pricing Framework
The governor used petroleum pricing as an example of an area requiring fundamental review, arguing that the national debate should move beyond whether fuel subsidy should be restored or remain removed.
“For years, the debate in Nigeria has largely been presented as a choice between subsidising petroleum products or allowing Nigerians to pay the full market price. I believe we are asking the wrong question,” Makinde said.
“The more important question is: what is the right pricing framework for an oil-producing country like Nigeria?”
He said Nigerians should have access to the details used to determine the price of petroleum products at filling stations, including crude oil benchmarks, refining costs, exchange-rate assumptions, logistics, distribution costs, taxes and levies.
“What Nigerians deserve to know is the current pricing framework and the assumptions that determine what we pay at the pump,” he said.
“These should be publicly accessible and sufficiently clear for Nigerians to interrogate the basis of the price they are paying and compare it with the alternatives.”
Makinde also rejected the argument that Nigerians should pay higher prices for petroleum products to discourage smuggling to neighbouring countries.
“We should also reject the argument that Nigerians must pay more for petroleum products simply to eliminate the price difference that makes smuggling into neighbouring countries profitable,” he said.
“Nigerians should not be made to bear the cost of government’s inability to secure its borders.”
He said his proposed national reset would involve questioning the existing petroleum pricing structure and determining whether Nigerians are receiving a fair benefit from the country’s natural resources.
“Reset Nigeria means being willing to interrogate the system itself,” Makinde said.
“The petroleum question should therefore not simply be whether subsidy should return or remain removed. It should be whether the pricing system we are using is the right one for Nigeria and whether it allows Nigerians to derive a fair benefit from the natural resources they own.”
He said his team would unveil its alternative petroleum pricing framework in the coming weeks and allow Nigerians to assess the proposal.
“In the coming weeks, we will put forward our alternative and allow Nigerians to judge it for themselves,” he said.
‘Reset Requires Accountable Leadership, Active Citizenship’
Makinde described Reset Nigeria as a national movement to rebuild the country’s systems and institutions so that they work for all Nigerians.
“A national reset therefore requires both accountable leadership and active citizenship. It asks those who govern to serve differently, but it also asks every Nigerian to participate differently,” he said.
He stressed that transforming Nigeria would not be an immediate process or the responsibility of one individual.
“This will not be an instant transformation, nor will it be the work of one person. It must be a deliberate national effort supported by a clear roadmap, measurable priorities and the sustained participation of Nigerians at home and abroad,” Makinde said.
The governor said he would continue to outline his vision for resetting Nigeria’s economy, security architecture, education system, institutions and social and political order.
“I will also explain the lessons I have learnt from public service and how those lessons have shaped this vision,” he said.
Makinde, however, called on Nigerians to contribute to the conversation by identifying the areas they believe require urgent reform.
“Most importantly, I want to hear from you,” he said.
“If Nigeria is to work for every Nigerian, what do you believe we must reset first? Let us begin the conversation.”
