By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has argued that Nigeria’s persistent socio-economic challenges stem from deeper structural failures rather than the individuals occupying public office, calling for a total overhaul of the nation’s systems and institutions.
In the latest edition of his periodic Newsletter 145: What Reset Nigeria Means – Seyi Makinde noted that despite successive changes in government and new policies, millions of Nigerians remain trapped in poverty, burdened by insecurity, and disconnected from genuine progress.
While directing his focus on the perennial controversy surrounding petroleum pricing, the governor asserted that framing the debate merely as a choice between maintaining subsidies or paying full market prices misses the point.
“The more important question is: what is the right pricing framework for an oil-producing country like Nigeria?” Makinde stated.
He challenged the transparency of the current arrangement, demanding that variables such as crude price benchmarks, refining costs and margins, exchange-rate assumptions, logistics, and taxes be made publicly accessible. According to him, citizens deserve a clear framework that allows them to interrogate the cost at the pump and compare it with alternatives.
The governor also strongly rejected arguments that ordinary Nigerians should pay inflated prices for petroleum products simply to deter smuggling to neighboring countries.
“Nigerians should not be made to bear the cost of government’s inability to secure its borders,” he maintained.
Announcing plans for the coming weeks, Makinde disclosed that his camp will put forward an alternative petroleum pricing model for public scrutiny, aimed at ensuring citizens derive fair benefits from national resources.
Positioning “Reset Nigeria” as a broader national movement, the governor stressed that rebuilding the country requires tackling systemic bottlenecks across the economy, security architecture, education, and political order. He noted that true transformation demands a blend of accountable leadership and active citizenship supported by measurable priorities.
Concluding his message, Makinde invited public engagement, posing a national question to citizens: “If Nigeria is to work for every Nigerian, what do you believe we must reset first?”
