Brief 5 : rethinking the deregulation of Nigeria's downstream oil sector

Date

2014-08

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University for Peace Africa Programme, Addis Ababa, ET

Abstract

Successive governments in Nigeria have tried to embark on the deregulation of the distributing and marketing sector of the oil industry, but such efforts continue to be resisted by majority of Nigerians, led by Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO). The government maintains that restructuring the sector is germane for increasing government income and establishing a strong and independent regulatory institution with new legal framework and less political interference. However the implementation of the policy has left much to be desired. This policy brief examines why efforts by successive governments in Nigeria towards the deregulation of the oil marketing and distribution sector have continued to be resisted by the majority of Nigerians. It further argues that while deregulation of the oil sector can be adopted as a strategy for strengthening government income, this needs to be enshrined in policy frameworks that are cognizant of the structural and contextual factors, which include the need to cushion the population from the impact of a liberalized economic climate, and the time to do that is now.

Description

Keywords

NIGERIA, OIL INDUSTRY, CIVIL SOCIETY, CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, ECONOMIC LIBERALIZATION, DEREGULATION, TRADE UNIONS, LABOUR LAW, FUEL OILS, DISTRIBUTION, CORRUPTION

Citation

Akinola, A. (2014). Brief 5 : Rethinking the Deregulation of Nigeria's Downstream Oil Sector. UPEACE Africa Policy Series, 1(2): 55-64.

DOI