By Rauf Oluseyi Owoyomi
For too long, Nigerian leaders have repeated the same old pattern of traveling from one country to another, pleading for investors to come and put their money into the Nigerian economy.
This was a hallmark of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, it persisted under Muhammadu Buhari, and now Bola Ahmed Tinubu follows the same path.
It’s no wonder these leaders have refused to acknowledge that the solutions to Nigeria’s problems lie within its own borders, yet they continue to overlook this.
Funny thing is, despite these high-profile investment hunts, the country remains stagnant, trapped in a cycle of taking one step forward and then falling hundreds of steps back.
Why do our leaders continue down this well-trodden, unproductive road? It’s time they adopt a different approach; one that focuses on understanding and addressing Nigeria’s core issues.
One might have hoped that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to also serve as the Petroleum Minister would bring about a meaningful change in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. However, it seems we are still caught in the same old cycle of blame-shifting between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), petroleum marketers, and the powerful cabals that dominate the industry.
Rather than witnessing the bold reforms and decisive actions that the country desperately needs, we are instead seeing a continuation of the blame game that has plagued the sector for years.
The expectation that Tinubu’s dual role would lead to increased accountability, efficiency, or transparency has not materialized. Instead, familiar challenges such as fuel scarcity, higher prices, and inefficiencies continue to burden the economy and everyday Nigerians.
It is now clear that merely holding the title of Petroleum Minister is not enough; what Nigeria needs is proactive leadership that can dismantle entrenched interests, enforce reforms, and steer the industry toward a future that benefits all Nigerians, not just a select few.
Therefore, adressing insecurity and the high cost of petrol could significantly alter the economic landscape, eliminating the desperate chase for foreign investors.
Did you know that the recent surge in pump price of petrol has already crippled many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are critical to the nation’s economic health. When SMEs struggle to survive, the broader economy suffers, making it impossible for Nigeria to achieve meaningful growth.
Nigeria possesses abundant resources that any investor would find appealing. It’s time for the government to look inward, develop genuine solutions, and take proactive steps that will help to alleviate suffering of the masses.
Enough is enough …Nigerians deserve leadership that prioritizes real change over superficial gestures.
