Nkiruka Nistoran, an online punisher with NN News Media, has called for the return of fuel subsidy, saying Nigeria was not ready to remove it because of widespread corruption and poor management of public funds, which have continued to affect poor citizens.
Nistoran made the call in a post on her X handle, where she argued that the removal of subsidy has placed a heavy burden on ordinary Nigerians, especially poor families who depend on affordable fuel and transportation for their daily lives.
She wrote:
I believe Nigeria was not ripe for subsidy removal because of the level of corruption and poor management of public funds. The poor masses are the ones bearing the cross, while the cost of living continues to rise.
When subsidy returns, ordinary Nigerians will feel the impact through lower fuel and transportation costs. This can also help reduce the cost of moving food and goods, giving families some relief from the high cost of living.
I am backing the return of subsidy because I believe Nigeria was not ripe for subsidy removal. The removal of subsidy has made life extremely difficult for ordinary Nigerians, especially poor families who depend on affordable transportation and fuel for their daily lives.
The cost of fuel affects almost everything. When fuel becomes expensive, transportation becomes expensive. The cost of moving food and goods also increases, and this eventually affects the price of food and other basic needs.
Many Nigerians are now struggling to afford things they could manage before.
The problem is that while ordinary Nigerians are suffering from the high cost of living, politicians and government officials are the ones stealing or mismanaging public funds from subsidy.
I understand the argument that subsidy removal can reduce government spending and allow the country to use its money for other things. But the reality is that many poor citizens have not seen enough benefits from its removal.
The cost of fuel, food, transportation and other basic needs has increased, making everyday life more difficult.
There is also the problem of corruption. If the money saved from removing subsidy is not properly managed, but is instead wasted or stolen by politicians and officials, then ordinary Nigerians are the ones who suffer the most.
I believe bringing back the subsidy, with strong measures to prevent corruption and abuse, would give poor Nigerians some relief. The government should make sure that any money spent on subsidy is properly monitored and accounted for.
For me, the main issue is the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. A policy may look good on paper, but if it makes life unbearable for the poor while public money continues to be mismanaged, then we need to rethink that policy.
That is why I support bringing back fuel subsidy, at least until Nigeria has stronger systems to fight corruption and protect poor citizens.
