What Nigerians Say About Subsidy

The debate over fuel subsidy in Nigeria continues to generate debates among Nigerians. While some believe that bringing back the subsidy could help ease the financial pressure on ordinary Nigerians, others argue that it’s costly, unsustainable, prone to corruption, and government mismanagement.

Kola Edokpayi, 46, activist

I support the return of fuel subsidy because during the subsidy era, fuel was cheaper, there was less hardship and the economy wasn’t as bad as it is today. As a leader, anything that will ameliorate the suffering of the people is something I will support. We bought fuel at N300 per litre but now buy it above N1,000. If returning the subsidy would take us back to the situation before this present administration, then I am in support, provided it is done properly and transparently.

For me, anything that would enable the masses to live better lives is something I support.

When the subsidy was removed, we were told there would be steady electricity, improved dividends of democracy and reduced inflation. However, that is not the situation today. Rather, the removal has brought economic hardship upon the people.

Dada Ayokha, 50, lecturer, Benin City  

I support any policy that can get us back to where we were before the removal of the subsidy. So, yes, I support the return of the subsidy, hoping that it would help us. Subsidy is not a crime; it is a way of supporting vulnerable members of the society and cushioning the effects of economic hardship. Therefore, the government should support vulnerable Nigerians and help them survive difficult times.

It is ironic that in Nigeria, those who benefitted most from the subsidy were the elites, and they packaged the subsidy as a reason the government couldn’t perform and sold that narrative to the poor. Now, the subsidy has been removed, yet the government is not performing as expected.

Tobi Eromosele, engineer, 40, Benin City

I am in support of the return of the subsidy because its removal has done more harm than good. According to news making the round, it is alleged that the government still pays subsidy but under a different name.

Subsidy removal has greatly affected the common man. Transportation fares have increased, thereby making it difficult for Nigerians to travel to their destinations. Food prices and other essential items also continue to increase daily.

If subsidy is returned, I believe things would gradually return to normal, making life more affordable for ordinary Nigerians.

Friday Jonah, 41, entrepreneur, Bayelsa State 

The government should return the fuel subsidy because as a business person, the removal has made the price of everything skyrocket, and it is becoming difficult for small business owners to make profits. The savings from the subsidy removal are not managed properly. What project or life-touching scheme have they done with the subsidy savings? Many Nigerians are facing hardship because of the removal. So, it should be restored.

Fuel was affordable when there was a subsidy. Businesses that run on generators got more profits compared to today that the subsidy is gone. We now face a lot of crises in the business. We are losing and our businesses are on the verge of collapse.

We now spend more on electricity. I pay close to N14,000 monthly for my small shop, so it is difficult making profits after all these exorbitant expenses. Therefore, I prefer the subsidy is returned for the welfare of Nigerians. The subsidy was the only way ordinary Nigerians felt the impact of government.

Dr Fyneface D. Fyneface, environmentalist, Port Harcourt, Rivers State 

I am not in support of the return of the fuel subsidy. It is a big scam that has drained the wealth of this country over the years. However, Nigerians are suffering because the savings from the subsidy are being mismanaged.

The subsidy removal should stand while those saddled with the responsibility of managing the savings are made to account for the money.

Atiku’s position to return the subsidy is a no-no for Nigeria; we can’t return to the dark days of the fuel subsidy scam. The savings from it should be properly used to improve the living conditions and welfare of Nigerians.

Eunice Nnachi, female, 44, gender advocate, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State 

As a Nigerian, I understand why many are calling for the return of fuel subsidy. Its removal has put enormous pressure on families, businesses and transportation costs. Yes, people are suffering; there is hardship, the price of transportation has increased, but bringing back the subsidy is not advisable because there were several scams during the subsidy regime.

I won’t support a return to the old subsidy system without strong transparency and accountability. If the government must subsidise fuel, it should be temporary, targeted and properly monitored so that the benefit reaches ordinary Nigerians rather than becoming another avenue for corruption and waste.

What Nigerians really need is affordable fuel, functioning refineries, stable prices and an economy where people can actually afford to live. That is why I call on the government to invest subsidy savings in our local refineries, make them work and we are able to refine locally. With that, fuel price will reduce.

Haruna Ibrahim Nasarawa, Kaduna

Before the removal, we were made to believe that only a few individuals benefitted from the subsidy, so we all supported its removal, only to discover that ordinary Nigerians were the biggest beneficiaries. If returned, I will support it.

Badamasi Asamu Isa, Kaduna

We all know that since the subsidy removal, our lives changed negatively and everything changed, not for the better. That is why I want it returned.

Tanimu Danlel Muhammed, politician

There’s nothing bad with fuel subsidy removal, but in doing that, there must be a structure in place where the money saved can be used to help the common man. Nigerians are suffering because there is no structure in place to manage and utilise the funds from the removal of the subsidy for projects that would impact on the lives of Nigerians.

The late Abacha removed fuel subsidy but it was done gradually and the petroleum Trust Fund was set up, which was managed by a trusted Nigerian in the person of the late president Buhari and every Nigerian saw what the funds from subsidy removal was used for.

Maryann Anyebe, 40, businesswoman, Otukpo 

I support the return of fuel subsidy. The problem with our economy is ineffective policies and government’s inability to curb corruption in the system. I believe that our fuel can still be sold at the old price without harming the economy if the right people, right policies and right actions are put up in square holes.

We were here in this country when a government created naira hardship and another came to restore the system. Those tampering with crude subsidies are not spirits and can be checked if the government develops the political will. So I want the return of subsidy to ameliorate the sufferings of ordinary Nigerians.

Vitalis Tarnongu, 54, farmer, Makurdi

My view is not a blanket one; I support a targeted fuel subsidy. A full return puts huge pressure on government’s budget and encourages smuggling. But removing it completely without strong palliatives hurts transport, food prices and small businesses.  The best approach is to keep up deregulation but invest the savings directly into CNG buses, farm inputs, food security and cash transfers to the most vulnerable Nigerians.

Khalid Khadija, 32, undergraduate, Jos

I am not in support of its return. The money meant for subsidy would end up in the hands of a few individuals instead of the masses. Let it remain as it is. My only appeal is that the money being generated by the federal government should be used judiciously.

Aminu Muhammad, 27, teacher, Jos

I support it being brought back because we haven’t seen the impact of the subsidy removal in the education and health sectors and other aspects of life as promised.

Bello Abubakar, Trader

I am in support of the return of the fuel subsidy.

The cost of transportation has risen from N1,000 to N3,500. The cost of everything has also risen in this country as a result of fuel subsidy removal

Garba Halilu, civil servant

I support the return of fuel subsidy because it will help in no small way to end the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, which was caused by fuel subsidy removal.

Maimuna Sani Abdullahi, Kaduna

I want the subsidy returned because its removal subjected us to economic hardship. Poor Nigerians benefitted from the subsidy, and since its removal, life has been hard. I support its return. Uche Nnorom, 50, journalism, Makurdi

Return or not; the bottom line or concern should be how it has affected the life of the ordinary man. For me, the policy has not helped the citizenry; instead, it puts money in the hands of those in power, who continue to impoverish the people. It is like the devil’s gift given with the right hand and collected with the left. How much is a litre of fuel? The cost of living has skyrocketed. There is no truth and sincerity from the government.

Muhammad Usman, 29, businessman, Borno 

I don’t support the removal of fuel subsidy. Since they removed it, life hasn’t been easy. Transport, food stuff prices have skyrocketed. We can’t cope because everything is too expensive.

The government said they would use the money to build roads and hospitals, but till date we haven’t seen anything. Students trek, workers spend half their salaries on transport alone.

Before the subsidy was removed, they should have first put things in place to help the masses. Right now, it is just hardship everywhere.

Akorede Abdulrahman Olawale, teacher, 44, Abuja

I support the removal because there are no more queues at fuel stations, no more borrowing to finance subsidy and payment of salaries at the state level. The proceeds can be seen in NelFund, improved purchase of quality arms and ammunition for security, increased payments, as well as infrastructure development.

Idris Jimoh, 40, Abuja

I support its return if it would give relief to the masses from the economic hardship they currently face. The essence of the removal hasn’t been felt as they still borrow, and there are no alternative relief measures for the masses.

Abdulazeez shittu, 38, quantity surveyor, Abuja

I support the return of fuel subsidy if the government makes sure it takes measures to ensure that citizens benefit from it.

Dauda Oseni Olusina, 33, engineer, Abuja

I don’t support its return. The government should instead use the money to improve local refineries, transportation, health care and other services.

Muhammed A. Habibullahi, engineer, Abuja

I don’t support its return because it only benefitted a few individuals in the country. There is corruption in the subsidy system. Politicians and businessmen take advantage of it to extort the country.
(Daily trust)