…Accord candidate says Nigeria’s young population must become an economic asset
Presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called on Nigerians to reject the notion that the country must remain a “third-class” nation, saying the future of Nigeria must be shaped by Nigerians themselves.
Hashim made the call in an Independence Day message released in Abuja on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, as he presented an economic vision built around increased production, industrialisation, affordable energy and stronger public institutions.
The Accord candidate argued that Nigeria’s prolonged underdevelopment was not caused by a lack of resources, but by what he described as the failure to effectively deploy the country’s vast human, natural and institutional capacity.
He listed poverty, human trafficking, insecurity, institutional weaknesses, the weakening of the civil service and the breakdown of security infrastructure among the challenges limiting Nigeria’s ability to realise its potential.
«“Nigeria is not a poor country. We have behaved like a poor country because we have consistently underutilised the enormous capacity available to us,” Hashim said.»
He also identified Nigeria’s large youthful population as an opportunity that, in his view, must be deliberately harnessed through education, skills development, employment and productive opportunities.
According to him, the effects of weak economic opportunities and institutions go beyond economic statistics, with consequences for the security and dignity of vulnerable citizens.
“You cannot permanently defeat trafficking without defeating the conditions that make human beings vulnerable to trafficking,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, Hashim urged Nigerians to demand clear policy proposals, measurable targets and accountability from political candidates.
He said elections should not be reduced to personalities, ethnicity, religion or political slogans, but should provide citizens with an opportunity to determine the direction of the country.
«“Nigeria belongs to Nigerians. We must stop behaving as spectators in the affairs of our own country,” he said.»
Hashim proposed that an Accord administration would target a $4 trillion Nigerian economy within eight years, driven by increased production across manufacturing, agriculture, energy, technology and services.
He said the country needed to move away from an economic model centred largely on distributing resource revenues and instead build an economy that creates wealth through production and value addition.
On the petroleum sector, Hashim reiterated his proposal to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to at least four million barrels per day within 24 months of an Accord administration.
He said the target would be pursued through the recovery of commercially viable shut-in oil wells, improved security, investment in production infrastructure, better crude evacuation and reforms aimed at reducing production costs.
But Hashim stressed that increased crude output should not simply result in more exports.
«“Four million barrels a day cannot simply mean four million barrels exported. Nigerian crude must power Nigerian industry,” he said.»
He argued that Nigeria should use its crude oil and gas resources as a foundation for domestic industrialisation, rather than exporting raw materials and importing finished products.
Hashim also reaffirmed his proposal for ₦605 per litre as a starting sustainable petrol price, with a longer-term objective of reducing the price towards ₦200–₦300 per litre.
He said his proposed approach would focus on reducing the underlying cost of producing and delivering energy rather than returning to what he described as an opaque subsidy system.
The Accord candidate also proposed greater investment in refining, petrochemicals, gas processing, electricity generation, pipelines, storage and other energy infrastructure.
«“Nigeria must stop exporting the raw material and importing the finished value. We must capture the value chain here,” he said.»
Hashim said affordable and reliable energy would be central to reviving Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and lowering production costs across the economy.
His latest proposals build on his previously stated position that Nigerian refineries should have access to domestic crude under a strategic local-pricing framework to improve their competitiveness.
Wants stronger West African economic integration
The Accord candidate also proposed making West African integration a major pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and economic strategy.
He argued that the region represents a significant market for Nigerian businesses and said manufacturers, farmers, energy companies, financial institutions and technology firms should be positioned to serve a more integrated West African market.
«“Our neighbourhood is not a burden, we are one family. West Africa is Nigeria’s strategic economic space,” Hashim said.»
He further argued that Nigeria’s expanding youth population could become one of the country’s greatest economic advantages if government invests deliberately in technical education, professional skills and productive employment.
«“Our young population should be Nigeria’s greatest economic asset. We must give them the skills and opportunities to turn their energy into wealth.”»
Hashim said economic transformation would also require a fundamental renewal of Nigeria’s public institutions.
He maintained that ambitious economic targets could not be achieved without a competent, accountable and effective civil service.
«“We cannot build a $4 trillion economy with institutions that cannot perform. The Nigerian state itself must be rebuilt,” he said.»
He said Independence Day should remind Nigerians that political independence must ultimately be matched by economic and institutional independence.
«“The Nigeria we want cannot be outsourced. It cannot be imported. It must be built by Nigerians.”»
Hashim said the 2027 election would offer Nigerians an opportunity to determine not merely who governs the country, but the direction they want Nigeria to take.
«“We are offering the vision. We are offering the leadership. But the ultimate power belongs to Nigerians.”»
He concluded by urging citizens to take greater ownership of the country’s future.
«“Our independence gave us ownership of Nigeria. It is time to exercise that ownership.”»
