67.4% of Nigerians Want Fuel Subsidy Restored — SBM Survey

A new survey by SBM Intelligence has revealed that 67.4 per cent of Nigerians surveyed want the Federal Government to restore the petrol subsidy, highlighting the growing importance of fuel prices to public sentiment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The finding was contained in the second wave of SBM Intelligence’s Nigeria 2027 Voter Sentiment Tracker, titled “A Narrower Race,” released on September 21, 2026. 

SBM Intelligence interviewed 1,103 eligible voters through face-to-face interviews across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering all six geopolitical zones. The research included respondents in both urban and rural locations. 

Petrol emerges as major national concern

According to the report, petrol has rapidly become a major political and economic issue for Nigerians.

SBM said petrol was the second-most cited national problem, with 18.2 per cent of respondents identifying it as a major concern. It also received the lowest performance rating among the issues assessed in relation to the current administration, scoring 1.69 out of 4. 

On the question of the government’s petrol-pricing policy, 67.4 per cent rejected the current policy direction, while 19.2 per cent supported it. 

The findings suggest that the removal of the petrol subsidy remains highly unpopular among a large proportion of those surveyed, despite the Federal Government’s argument that subsidy removal has reduced the financial burden on government and freed resources for other areas.

Regional differences

The survey also found significant differences in the issues Nigerians consider most important across the country.

Petrol was the leading concern in the South-West, where 30.5 per cent of respondents identified it as their main issue, and in the South-South, where it recorded 29.1 per cent.

The concern was also more pronounced among rural respondents, with 32.4 per cent identifying petrol as a major issue compared with 11.7 per cent among urban respondents. 

In other parts of the country, insecurity and debt remained more prominent concerns. In the South-East, for example, insecurity dominated responses at 62.6 per cent, while it stood at 47.5 per cent in the North-Central. Debt was the leading concern in the North-East at 28.3 per cent. 

Fuel subsidy becomes a 2027 political issue

The findings could further intensify the debate over petrol pricing ahead of the 2027 elections.

The removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2023 resulted in a sharp increase in petrol prices, with the cost of fuel subsequently becoming a major driver of transportation and living expenses.

The Federal Government has maintained that returning to the old subsidy regime would place a significant burden on public finances, while some opposition politicians have proposed different forms of intervention to reduce the cost of petrol and transportation.

SBM’s findings indicate that fuel pricing has now moved beyond being solely an economic issue and has become an increasingly important political issue for voters. 

However, SBM Intelligence cautioned that its survey represents a snapshot of stated sentiment among the respondents and should not be interpreted as a direct projection of the 2027 election. The survey does not adjust for historical turnout, population projections or INEC voter-registration figures. 

With petrol prices remaining a major concern for households and businesses, the subsidy debate is likely to remain a significant part of Nigeria’s economic and political conversation as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.