Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has called for reforms to Nigeria’s legislative framework to open up the country’s vast natural resources for greater economic development, while advocating the creation of a 24-hour economy.
Makinde spoke on the Nigerian economy at a forum in Katsina, where he said natural resources alone could not guarantee economic prosperity without entrepreneurship, skills and knowledge, as well as intensive production.
The governor said Nigeria must develop an economy that operates round the clock to enable the country compete with economies that sustain productive activities throughout the day.
“Our economy must work 24-7. Otherwise, if our economy shuts down at 7 or 8 o’clock in the evening, we cannot compete with economies that are running 24-7,” he said.
Makinde also called for greater access to the country’s natural resources through changes to the legislative arrangement governing them, particularly the constitutional provisions placing mining on the Exclusive Legislative List.
He argued that responsibility for mining should be devolved to the states, while the Federal Government retains an oversight role.
“Right now, you have in our Constitution, on the Exclusive List, the issue of mining. Devolve that responsibility to the states and let there be oversight only at the federal level,” Makinde said.
Makinde Advocates 24-Hour Economy, Seeks Legislative Reforms on Nigeria’s Natural Resources
ByNews Editor > Raymon Jay
Sep 24, 2026