Murray-Bruce urges Tinubu to appoint reformists

Former Nigerian Senator Ben Murray-Bruce published an open letter to President Bola Tinubu urging him to appoint more 'mad men' - results-driven officials willing to challenge entrenched interests - into his administration. Murray-Bruce cited Nigeria — Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu as examples of such officials, but argued two are insufficient for a country of over 200 million people. He specifically called for at least two more such appointees to drive reforms in the petroleum sector, focusing on the rehabilitation and commercially viable operation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. He proposed that these refineries target a combined throughput of at least 325,000 barrels per day, equivalent to 50% of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery's nameplate capacity, and urged the administration to pursue its ambition of raising crude oil production to four million barrels per day by 2030. Murray-Bruce emphasized that support for the administration should not preclude constructive criticism and that Nigeria needs officials obsessed with results, willing to become unpopular if necessary to deliver meaningful change.