Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has called on President Bola Tinubu to bring more “mad men” into his administration, using the phrase to describe officials willing to challenge powerful interests, confront failing systems and deliver measurable results.
Murray-Bruce, a former senator and Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, made the call in an open letter to Tinubu published on his X account on Wednesday. He said his support for the administration should not prevent him from speaking openly about policies he believes need improvement.
The former lawmaker said Nigeria needs public officials who are prepared to take difficult decisions rather than protect established interests. By “mad men”, he explained, he meant men and women bold enough to confront broken systems, challenge powerful interests and reject mediocrity.
Murray-Bruce pointed to Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu as examples. He credited Cardoso with bringing greater discipline and credibility to monetary policy, while describing Ribadu as having introduced greater coordination and strategic direction to Nigeria’s security architecture.
However, he argued that Nigeria’s size and challenges require more officials with the same determination. He particularly urged Tinubu to appoint people capable of transforming the petroleum sector, with the rehabilitation and commercially viable operation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries among his priorities.
Murray-Bruce said Nigerians had heard enough explanations about refinery rehabilitation, contractors, technical reviews and deadlines. He argued that the government should focus on a straightforward outcome: getting the refineries to operate commercially and produce refined petroleum products.
He also proposed that the three government-owned refineries target combined reliable throughput of at least 325,000 barrels per day, equivalent to half of the Dangote Refinery’s 650,000-barrel-per-day nameplate capacity. He said Nigeria should then aim higher by becoming a major refining centre capable of supplying domestic demand and exporting refined petroleum products.
On crude oil production, Murray-Bruce challenged Tinubu to find an official capable of driving production towards the administration’s stated ambition of four million barrels per day by 2030. He said the government needs officials focused on achieving targets rather than explaining why they cannot be met.
The former senator also urged the president to demand clear, measurable results from ministers, regulators, agency heads and other political appointees overseeing critical sectors. His message to the administration was that support should not become sycophancy, and that Nigerians should ultimately judge government officials by what they deliver.
