Nigeria May Soon Drink Her Crude Oil – Ezekwesili

Former Nigerian education minister, Oby Ezekwesili has warned that the country may soon be forced to drink its crude oil if diversification of its economy is not prioritised.

Ezekwesili, at the 2017 Civil Engineering Conference on Tuesday, said while other oil dependent economies are beginning to diversify, Nigeria has remained “adamant” to new realities.

At the symposium organised by the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Abuja chapter, the former minister said the country must start asking questions that will enable it turn from its dependence on oil.

“Norway, one of the biggest oil producers has just stashed $1 trillion of her oil money in a sovereign wealth fund,” she said.

“I was in Norway recently, and 10 per cent of vehicles used there run on electric. Nigeria should ask herself these critical questions because very soon, Nigeria will drink her crude oil,” said Ezekwesili.