- Reno Omokri hailed Nigeria’s decline from Africa’s top oil importer as a sign of economic progress, thanks to increased local refining and exports.
- During a visit to the Dangote refinery, he said the transformation showed a “360-degree turn” and that Nigeria was now West Africa’s largest exporter of refined petroleum products.
- Omokri stressed that the value of the naira depends on production and exports, not imports, urging the government and unions to focus on productivity rather than rising wages.
Former presidential aide and social commentator Reno Omokri described Nigeria’s decline from Africa’s top oil importer as a positive economic development, reflecting growth in local production and exports.
During a visit to the Dangote refinery on Friday, Omokri noted that South Africa has now overtaken Nigeria as the continent’s leading importer of gasoline, while Nigeria has become West Africa’s largest exporter of refined petroleum products.
“As a Nigerian, it’s more about the value of the money you have,” Omokri said. “The naira has value only when we produce and export, not when we rely on imports. If we do not replace imports with locally produced goods and services, our currency will continue to lose strength.”
The shift marks a “360-degree turn,” he said, adding,
“Nigeria is now the largest exporter of petroleum products in West Africa.”
Omokri emphasized that true prosperity lies in the purchasing power of income earned through productivity.
“For Nigerians, earning ten thousand naira has real value and can buy goods, services, pay rent and even buy vehicles and houses, which is better than earning one million naira that has nothing to do with production,” he added.
He urged the government and unions to put productivity ahead of wage demands.
“So think about it, whether you are an ordinary citizen, a member of government or a trade union member, for Nigerians, earning ten thousand naira has real value and can buy goods, pay rent, and even buy a house, which is much better than earning one million naira with no production support.”
