Former senator and businessman Ben Murray-Bruce has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint more results-driven individuals into his administration, describing them as people willing to confront entrenched interests, challenge inefficient systems and reject mediocrity.
Murray-Bruce made the call in an open letter published on his X account on Tuesday, stating that his support for the Tinubu administration would not prevent him from criticising policies or making suggestions aimed at improving governance and national development.
He explained that his reference to the need for more “mad men” was not literal, but a call for men and women bold enough to challenge broken systems, confront powerful interests and pursue measurable results despite resistance.
The former lawmaker identified the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as examples of public officials who, in his view, had demonstrated seriousness, discipline and determination in addressing national challenges.
Murray-Bruce, however, argued that Nigeria needed more reform-minded officials, particularly in the petroleum sector. He urged the President to appoint capable individuals who could drive the rehabilitation and commercially viable operation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries.
He said Nigerians had heard enough explanations about turnaround maintenance, contractors, technical reviews and billions of naira spent on the refineries, stressing that the focus should now be on ensuring that the facilities become operational and commercially productive.
Using the Dangote Refinery as an example, Murray-Bruce proposed that the three government-owned refineries should target a combined minimum throughput of about 325,000 barrels per day, equivalent to 50 per cent of the Dangote Refinery’s 650,000 barrels-per-day nameplate capacity.
The former senator also urged the administration to pursue its ambition of increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production to four million barrels per day by 2030. He called on Tinubu to identify and appoint an official capable of aggressively driving the target and delivering measurable results.
Murray-Bruce further said Nigeria should aim to meet domestic fuel needs while developing into a major refining and export hub for petroleum products across Africa and the global market. He urged the President to hold ministers, regulators, agency heads and other political appointees accountable for clear and measurable performance targets.
Mr President,
I write this as a supporter of your administration and as a Nigerian who wants you to succeed. But support must never become sycophancy. Sometimes, the greatest service a supporter can render is to tell the President what others around him may be too comfortable—or… pic.twitter.com/xmvATgGuP3
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) August 18, 2026
