Nigeria economic reform

When we talk about Nigeria economic reform, a series of policy changes aimed at stabilizing currency, reducing oil dependence, and fixing labor markets. Also known as Nigerian economic restructuring, it's not just about budgets—it's about who gets to work, who gets paid, and who controls the country’s biggest industries. The push isn’t new, but the pressure is. After years of relying on oil exports, Nigeria is trying to rebuild its economy from the ground up, and that means taking on powerful interests.

One of the biggest flashpoints is the expatriate quota, government rules limiting how many foreign workers companies can hire. Also known as foreign worker caps, these rules were meant to protect Nigerian jobs—but they’re being ignored. The PENGASSAN strike, a major labor action led by Nigeria’s petroleum workers union. Also known as Nigerian oil union protest,> shut down Sterling Oil’s Lagos HQ after the company flooded its ranks with over 10,000 foreign workers, mostly from India. This isn’t just about fairness. It’s about trust. When unions say the government broke a 2025 pact meant to enforce local hiring, people start wondering: is reform real, or just paperwork?

The same tension shows up in how Nigeria handles its oil money. Reform isn’t just about cutting imports or boosting agriculture. It’s about who benefits. If foreign firms keep bringing in their own teams, and local workers stay sidelined, no amount of policy paper will fix the gap between promise and reality. The Nigeria oil labor, the system that governs hiring, wages, and rights in the oil and gas sector. Also known as Nigerian petroleum workforce,> is at the heart of this. When a union leader says the country’s own people are being pushed out, it’s not just a complaint—it’s a warning.

These aren’t isolated issues. The PENGASSAN strike, the expatriate quota debate, and the push for local hiring all tie back to one thing: who gets to build Nigeria’s future? Economic reform means more than inflation numbers or exchange rates. It means real people getting real jobs. It means companies following the rules. It means the government actually enforcing what it promises. If Nigeria’s reforms don’t fix this, they won’t fix anything.

What you’ll find below are the stories that show this fight in action—the strikes, the court battles, the broken promises, and the quiet moments where ordinary Nigerians are demanding a seat at the table. This isn’t theoretical. It’s happening right now.

Nigeria’s Banking Overhaul Sparks Global Confidence as CBN Governor Cardoso Drives Reform

Nigeria’s Banking Overhaul Sparks Global Confidence as CBN Governor Cardoso Drives Reform

Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor Olayemi Michael Cardoso has driven landmark banking reforms that slashed inflation, boosted investor confidence, and sparked a fintech boom, earning praise from the IMF and S&P Global Ratings.