A large crowd of activists on Tuesday gathered in Abuja’s Three Arms Zone, calling for significant reforms in Nigeria’s oil sector.
Organized by the APC Solidarity and Development Forum alongside various youth and civil society organizations, the demonstrators expressed frustration over persistent issues, including skyrocketing fuel prices, fuel scarcity, and the deepening economic hardship affecting Nigerians.
Speaking to journalists near the National Assembly Complex, protest leaders Kabir Matazu and Danielsi Momoh described the ongoing fuel crisis as a sign of systemic failures within the industry.
They emphasized that, despite repeated assurances from the authorities, the shortages and high prices remain unresolved, eroding public confidence in the government’s management of the sector.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, the protesters outlined several key grievances, pointing to the lack of functional local refineries as a critical issue.
Despite a $4 billion government investment aimed at establishing local refineries, they noted, not a single refinery is operational, which they described as a severe management failure.
They argued that this inaction not only undermines the administration’s “renewed hope” agenda but also highlights the need for accountable leadership in the sector.
The protesters also raised concerns about unresolved corruption and the importation of substandard petroleum products, which they argued pose risks to public health and safety. They urged the National Assembly to enact stringent measures to prevent such imports, thereby safeguarding Nigerians’ wellbeing.
The activists called for the formation of an investigative committee to probe alleged misconduct within the oil sector, with the expectation that any officials implicated in wrongdoing would face prosecution.
“We demand a clear roadmap for the revitalization and operationalization of our local refineries to ensure self-sufficiency in petroleum products and reduce reliance on imports,” the protest leaders stated.
They further demanded that the National Assembly “enact and enforce strict regulations to prevent the importation of substandard petroleum products, protecting the health and safety of Nigerians.”
In addition to these demands, the protesters urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint a capable leader for the oil sector who “possesses the integrity and expertise necessary to navigate the complexities of the oil sector and restore public confidence.”
They stressed the need for decisive action to address ongoing allegations of corruption, adding, “We call for the immediate establishment of a committee to investigate the ongoing allegations of sleaze and fraud within the oil sector.”
In conclusion, they pressed for accountability, stating, “We demand that those responsible be held accountable and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for prosecution.”
The protesters underscored that immediate reform is essential to restore trust in the sector and to ensure it supports Nigeria’s economic well-being.
