Northern Stakeholders Laud President Tinubu's Oil Sector Transformation
Citizens and leaders from Nigeria's North-West region have expressed strong approval for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's comprehensive reforms in the nation's oil and gas industry. The positive feedback emerged during the inaugural Citizens Engagement Conference held in Kaduna, where participants highlighted how these changes are rebuilding investor trust and establishing a foundation for sustainable national development.
Conference Highlights Reform Benefits
The three-day gathering, themed "The Positive Impacts of Oil and Gas Reforms by the Asiwaju Administration," brought together traditional rulers, academics, policy experts, civil society representatives, and business leaders from all seven North-West states. Discussions centered on the transformative effects of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, which stakeholders described as a revolutionary piece of legislation.
Mallam Nasir Abdulquadri, the conference co-convener, characterized the PIA as a critical turning point in Nigeria's economic history. He credited President Tinubu's "uncommon courage" for implementing challenging but essential measures such as fuel subsidy removal and market deregulation. According to Abdulquadri, these difficult decisions are already producing positive outcomes, including the revitalization of previously non-functional refineries, enhanced gas utilization, and the creation of pathways for industrial transformation.
"While these reforms have created temporary difficulties for some citizens, every meaningful transformation carries transitional challenges," Abdulquadri noted. He encouraged Nigerians to maintain patience and remain vigilant against external influences that might attempt to disrupt the reform process.
Academic Research Supports Reform Direction
Professor Usman Muhammed from Kaduna State University presented compelling research supporting the administration's approach to oil sector reforms. His paper, titled "Amplifying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda Through Regulatory Excellence and Upstream Oil and Gas Performance: Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Prosperity Beyond 2027," established a direct connection between oil sector efficiency and overall economic growth.
Based on his extensive research, Professor Muhammed demonstrated a strong correlation between oil production levels and national economic performance. He emphasized that improvements in regulatory frameworks have produced measurable positive effects throughout the economy. The academic specifically highlighted enhanced transparency in sector operations, empowerment of host communities, and the establishment of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) as clear indicators of successful reform implementation.
Professor Muhammed recommended that the government expand digital integration within the sector, promote renewable energy development, and ensure complete implementation of the PIA to strengthen institutional capacity. "Regulatory excellence is central to national prosperity," he asserted. "Continued institutional reform, innovation, and transparency will amplify the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond 2027, ensuring these changes result in job creation, affordable energy, and equitable growth for all Nigerians."
Calls for Increased Production and Accountability
Conference participants unanimously urged the federal government to build upon current progress by boosting oil production capacity and ensuring that reforms deliver tangible benefits to ordinary citizens. Speakers emphasized the need for stronger institutional accountability and increased crude output to stabilize prices and generate employment opportunities.
The positive reception of Tinubu's oil and gas policies in the North-West follows recent reports that over 1,000 organizations under the Northern Progressives Coalition have declared support for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima's potential re-election bid in 2027. This coalition, representing civil society groups, youth alliances, women's networks, traditional leaders, and political stakeholders from all 19 northern states, convened in Abuja to announce their endorsement.
The Kaduna conference represents significant regional approval of the federal government's energy sector policies, suggesting growing recognition of the long-term benefits expected from the comprehensive oil and gas reforms implemented under the current administration.
