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(Special for CAFS) Nigerian opposition candidate pledges to explore non-oil sector to revamp economy

Xinhua, January 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Nigeria's presidential candidate from the main opposition, Muhammadu Buhari, pledged Tuesday to tap the potential of the non-oil sectors to create wealth for the country if he is elected.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made the pledge at the party's campaign rally held in Abeokuta, the capital of the southwestern Ogun State.

In his view, excessive reliance on the oil sector and ill management of the resource by the government has plunged the country into economic woes. He promised to address the challenges if voted into power.

Noting that the national education standard had fallen, Buhari also gave assurance that the APC government would create an enabling environment for learning so that certificates from Nigerian universities would gain respect globally.

The plunge in global oil prices has forced Nigeria to slash its forecast for economic growth in 2015 to 5.5. percent from an earlier projection of 6.4 percent. Oil accounts for about 15 percent of Nigeria's gross domestic products but makes up three quarters of government revenues. Endite