We have a clear challenge of lacking a national consensus on what truly constitutes progress for our nation. Too often, the interests of the ruling elite are presented as the national interest. This results in economic policies designed mainly to serve a small group of oligarchs.

Because of this, genuine competition is pushed aside in critical economic decision-making. It is the same reason the government chose to promote the so-called CNG initiative instead of adopting a framework that encourages real competition in crude oil refining.

Nigeria should have at least five world-class refineries and about twenty modular refineries. Such an approach would have created healthy competition and more opportunities in the downstream sector, ultimately leading to a significant reduction in the cost of PMS.

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Unfortunately, the government opted for the unrealistic CNG route, which has not produced any meaningful outcome.

Going forward, Nigerians must learn to identify political candidates with convincing and transformational economic policies that are designed to serve everyone; not just a privileged few. Only then can we truly make progress as a nation.

-Francis Onyema, 2027 presidential aspirant