Constitutional lawyer Prof Maxwell Gidado has issued a urgent call for Nigeria to diversify its economy aggressively away from crude oil and toward non-oil sectors, warning that nations reliant on oil face a dire future. Prof Gidado, who is also a proponent of restructuring, stated that the prevailing trends in global oil demand and pricing substantiate his position. He remarked that a future where oil is no longer central to Nigeria’s economy, once considered a remote possibility, is now rapidly approaching.The legal scholar cited international expert predictions of the imminent decline of fossil fuels as the primary engine of national economies. He provided the example of the United Kingdom and France, which intend to prohibit the sale of diesel and petrol vehicles by 2040. Furthermore, he noted that many analysts forecast a substantial drop in oil demand after 2025, when electric cars are expected to become mainstream.Citing the International Energy Agency (IEA), Prof Gidado indicated that China, the world’s largest automobile market, is also evaluating a similar ban—a move that would significantly impact global oil consumption. He added that other nations, including India, Norway, and at least ten others, are contemplating comparable policies.”This analysis reveals the alarming reality that the economic outlook for countries dependent on oil revenue is precarious, unless they actively diversify and pursue non-oil ventures,” he stated. “Regrettably, Nigeria persistently depends on oil as its principal source of economic revenue.”However, Prof Gidado pointed to Nigeria’s significant potential in agriculture, highlighting the domestic role of its tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, cucumbers, tubers, grains, livestock, and dairy production. He emphasized that these sectors possess vast, untapped potential for export.He concluded by asserting that Nigeria could rank among the world’s most prosperous nations by diversifying and restructuring its economy and implementing effective agricultural policies.