Gov. Seyi Makinde, has unveiled his vision for a national “Reset Nigeria,” proposing a deliberate overhaul of the country’s systems and institutions to ensure that government delivers better outcomes for every Nigerian.
Makinde who is the Executive Governor of Oyo State and 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), in a policy statement, argued that Nigeria’s challenges go beyond the individuals occupying public offices, stressing that successive changes of government and policies have failed to fundamentally alter the realities of poverty, insecurity, unemployment and weak public institutions confronting millions of Nigerians.
According to him, “Nigeria’s challenge is bigger than the individuals occupying public office at any particular time,” insisting that the country must address the systems, institutions and structures responsible for repeatedly producing poor outcomes.
Using petroleum pricing as an example, the governor challenged the conventional debate around fuel subsidy, arguing that the more important question should be what constitutes the appropriate petroleum pricing framework for an oil-producing country like Nigeria.
Makinde called for greater transparency in the determination of pump prices, including public access to the crude price benchmark, refining costs and margins, exchange-rate assumptions, logistics and distribution costs, taxes, levies and other variables used in calculating petroleum prices.
He also rejected the argument that Nigerians should pay higher fuel prices primarily to discourage smuggling into neighbouring countries, arguing that citizens should not bear the cost of government’s inability to effectively secure the nation’s borders.
The APM presidential candidate said the proposed national reset would involve a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s economy, security architecture, education system, institutions, as well as its social and political order. He disclosed that he would unveil further policy alternatives in the coming weeks, beginning with the petroleum sector.
Makinde stressed that the initiative would not be an instant transformation or the responsibility of one individual, but a sustained national effort requiring accountable leadership, active citizenship, measurable priorities and a clear roadmap.
He said his experiences in public service had shaped his vision for rebuilding Nigeria and promised to continue sharing the lessons and policy ideas behind the “Reset Nigeria” agenda.
Calling on Nigerians at home and abroad to participate in the conversation, Makinde asked citizens to identify the area they believe should be reset first.
“Reset Nigeria is a national movement to rebuild Nigeria’s systems and institutions so that Nigeria works for every Nigerian,” he declared.
