Developing Nigeria’s Economy Beyond Oil

Before her independence on 1st October 1960, Nigeria’s economy depended on cocoa and groundnut produced by the western and northern regions of Nigeria respectively. And the derivation formula was much favourable to the regions. That is why monumental proofs like the Cocoa House in Ibadan and Groundnut pyramids in Kano are land-marks to show for what took place in the past.
The economy of Nigeria today does not depend on cocoa and groundnut since the exploration and exploitation of oil commenced 1957 in the present day Oloibiri, in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State. Indeed, due to serious attention paid to petroleum, which serves as the main stay of the economy, Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) was established to oversee the sale of petroleum products, just as refineries were     also built. It was a dream come true for growth of the economy including human and capital development of the country. But the reverse has been the case as the region that produces the oil has been grappling with under development.  The Nigerian Natioanl Petroluem Corporation (NNPC) headquarters is not found in the region. And the parastatal is seen to be the conduit pipe for officials of government to enrich themselves to the detriment of the citizens whose expectation is massive development.
NNPC was set up with good intention. Nigeria is the sixth producer of petroleum in the world. And most of the countries that solely depend on petroleum have since diversified their economies beyond oil. Countries like United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Angola etc have diversified their economies with revenues that accrued from the sale of oil. And they now have the revenue to develop other sectors of their economies. Today  many people across the world fly to United Arab Emirates for business transactions. And their economies do not feel much impact of the fall in price of oil.
Today, Nigeria’s economy is shaky because of the oil prices. Many Nigerians have spoken against the policy of over dependence on oil as a nation. For about six decades now, Nigeria is constantly depending on oil without serious diversification of the economy. And that alone has affected the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Nation. Nigerians are worried about the state of the economy, even as federal and state governments are facing the challenges of paying civil servants’ salaries and embarking on serious infrastructural projects. Indeed, there are countries in the world that do not depend on oil and yet they are surviving in this era of fall in oil prices.
Indeed, Nigeria’s political economy should be developed and sustained for effective and efficient implementation of government policy on diversification programme. Nigeria should borrow a leaf from other countries and diversify her economy.
The new federal administration of the country headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, should embark on aggressive diversification of the economy. The Mono-economy run by Nigerian government should be jettisoned as it is a threat to real development and progress of the nation. The revenues accruing from oil should be used to develop agriculture, health, science and technology and education sectors. It is crystal clear, that Nigeria imports her finished petroleum products. And that alone is a menace to diversification of the economy. More refineries should be built to boost the country’s revenue base.
Diversification of the economy is a long awaited dream of most Nigerians. Serious minded Nigerians should be appointed into positions of trust. People of impeccable character should be given opportunities to head administrative positions in NNPC. Petroleum is a non- renewable resource, therefore, a monumental Petroleum Building should be built at Oloibiri in Bayelsa state for posterity sake. It will be a compensation and recognition of the contribution of Oloibiri to the development of national economy. That alone will foster good relationship between the oil communities and the government.
Indeed, it is time for Nigerian ·governments to’ develop her economy beyond oil to foster rapid development of the country. If this is done there will be no fear about the fall of oil prices that is threatening the national economy.
Ogwuonuonu is a public policy analyst.