Former Abia State governor and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Southeast Development Commission, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has highlighted what he believes is an untapped opportunity in Nigeria’s quest for economic revival: the ingenuity and enterprise of the Igbo people. Speaking during an interview on Channels TV from 38:23, Kalu argued that empowering local investors and regional entrepreneurs could transform the nation’s oil sector faster and more cost-effectively.
“We don’t need to spend billions of dollars to build a refinery; the Igbos can build it,” Kalu said, pointing to the long-standing reputation of Igbo businessmen for driving industrial projects with efficiency and resilience. According to him, encouraging indigenous investment rather than relying entirely on massive government spending would boost local capacity, create jobs, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
Kalu criticized the historical mismanagement and repeated failures of government-owned refineries, stressing that private sector-led initiatives—especially from resourceful regions like the Southeast—could deliver better results. He argued that real economic progress requires trusting Nigerian entrepreneurs and removing bureaucratic barriers that have stifled local innovation for decades.
Beyond the oil sector, Kalu called for a broader shift toward supporting local industries and small businesses as a way to tackle unemployment and poverty. He emphasized that political leaders must focus less on party battles and more on unlocking the country’s human and industrial potential.
Ultimately, Kalu’s message was clear: by giving Nigerian entrepreneurs the space to operate, the country could build a stronger, self-sufficient economy without always resorting to costly foreign-driven projects.
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