Youths and students from the South-West region on Tuesday took to the streets of Ibadan in a peaceful protest, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive steps in revitalising Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The protesters, under the umbrella of the Coalition of Yoruba Students and Youth Movement, urged the Federal Government to prioritise local refining, ensure fair crude oil allocation to Nigerian-owned refineries, and completely halt the importation of petroleum products.
Speaking during the demonstration, the coalition’s National President, Comrade Benedict Adetunji, alongside the National Secretary, Comrade Busari Abdulraman, said the aim of the protest was to draw government attention to economic policies that, according to them, have weakened Nigeria’s industrial and financial stability.
“The only path to genuine recovery lies in strengthening domestic production and reducing reliance on importation. No nation develops by outsourcing what it can produce locally,” the group stated.
According to the coalition group, they pointed to the Dangote Refinery as a prime example of private sector investment that could drive national development if properly supported.
Also, it urged the Federal Government to allocate crude oil to all domestic refineries at competitive prices and to discontinue pricing systems that favour foreign refineries.
They also cautioned against activities by vested interests within the oil sector aimed at disrupting refining operations, warning that such actions amount to economic sabotage.
“We must safeguard our strategic sectors from practices that threaten national progress,” the group added.
Recalling how the collapse of Nigeria’s textile industry was triggered by neglect and over-reliance on imports, the youths appealed to President Tinubu to learn from history and implement policies that protect domestic production and industrial growth.
“Countries that achieved industrial success did so by protecting their industries. Nigeria must do the same to secure sustainable growth,” the coalition said.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy and constructive engagement with government, promising continued dialogue on policies that affect Nigeria’s economy and the welfare of its youth.
Politics Nigeria reports that the protest was peaceful and well-coordinated, with security operatives present to maintain order throughout the march.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
