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Talking Frankly On Removal Of Fuel Subsidy By Babajide Fadoju 

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Now that subsidy is gone, what is the plan?

Subsidies play a significant role in shaping economic policies in many countries, including Nigeria.

Subsidies are government incentives that aim to support specific industries or sectors by reducing the cost of goods or services.

However, the effect of subsidy removal on the Nigerian economy has been a subject of much debate and analysis.

Subsidies have long been used by the Nigerian government to support various sectors primarily the energy sector.

These subsidies are intended to stimulate economic growth, encourage investment, and alleviate the burden of high costs on consumers.

For instance, fuel subsidies have been implemented to ensure affordable prices for petroleum products, as Nigeria heavily relies on oil for its revenue.

Due to several imports, the subsidy on petrol has to be removed. For one the federal government cannot afford the subsidy payment anymore.

By removing subsidies, the government can redirect its spending towards more productive sectors.

The funds that were previously allocated to subsidies can be channelled into infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and other critical areas that can foster long-term economic growth.

The removal of subsidy is good for the industry; growth will be engendered as several players can now play competitively, efficiency will become the cornerstone to build on and this will aid product delivery to the end users.

The removal of subsidies can promote economic efficiency by allowing market forces to determine prices and allocate resources more effectively.

When subsidies are in place, they can distort market signals, leading to inefficiencies and suboptimal resource allocation. By removing subsidies, the government can create an environment that encourages competition and innovation, driving economic growth in the long run.

That is just one way to look at it, according to economic analysts, the removal of subsidies will trigger a temporary spike in inflation as the prices of essential commodities rise. However, over time, the market will adjust to the new price equilibrium, and inflationary pressures may stabilize.

One of the primary concerns surrounding subsidy removal is its impact on low-income households. These households often heavily rely on subsidized goods for their daily needs.

When subsidies are removed, the cost of living may increase, posing challenges for vulnerable segments of society.

To counter this, the government is prepared to review several areas of the fiscal economy. The government is prepared to review the minimum wage and provide palliatives for the most vulnerable.

More importantly, the money recouped from subsidy will be reallocated into infrastructure development and social programs, fostering sustainable economic growth.

It might be hard at first, but we will cross this rubicon and the country will be better for it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When was fuel subsidy removed in Nigeria?

Contrary to popular opinion, the subsidy regime was ended by the assent to the Petroluem Industry Act by the then president, Muhammadu Buhari in February of 2022. However, the nation was not ready and the budgetary allocation continued into May of 2023 – the end of the Buhari administration.

2. How does subsidy removal impact inflation?

Subsidy removal can lead to short-term inflationary pressures as the prices of subsidized goods or services increase. However, over time, the market can adjust to the new price equilibrium, and inflation may stabilize.

3. Are there alternative measures to subsidy removal?

Yes, there are alternative measures that can be considered before resorting to subsidy removal. These include subsidy reforms, targeting subsidies to specific populations, improving subsidy delivery mechanisms, and implementing fiscal consolidation measures.

4. What are the potential social implications of subsidy removal?

Subsidy removal can have social implications, particularly for low-income households. The increased cost of living may pose challenges for vulnerable segments of society. However, by redirecting resources, the government can implement targeted social welfare programs to mitigate the adverse effects.

6. What are the long-term benefits of subsidy removal?

The long-term benefits of subsidy removal include improved fiscal sustainability, increased government revenue, reduced corruption opportunities, economic efficiency, and the reallocation of resources to critical sectors.

BIG STORY

BREAKING: GTCO Becomes First Banking Stock To Exceed N100 On NGX

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Guaranty Trust Holding Company has achieved a strong mid-market showing during the July 16, 2025, trading session, surpassing the N100 milestone.

This makes GTCO the first banking stock listed under the NGX Banking Index to cross the N100 benchmark, while Stanbic IBTC Holdings remained just below at N99.

The upward movement aligns with the broader positive sentiment in the banking sector, where the NGX Banking Index has gained over 22% so far in July.

The development follows GTCO’s recent dual listing, which involved 2.29 billion ordinary shares being listed on the London Stock Exchange on July 9, 2025, and another 2.28 billion shares added to the Nigerian Exchange the next day.

The stock’s rise appears driven by investor response to its cross-border listing and its strong Q1 2024 financial performance. Month-to-date, GTCO has posted a gain exceeding 27%.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Atiku Abubakar Resigns From PDP

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The presidential flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has officially withdrawn his membership from the opposition party.

Atiku submitted his resignation ahead of the 2027 general elections, following confirmation of his involvement in forming a new coalition known as the Alliance Democratic Congress.

The resignation was contained in a letter dated Monday, July 14, 2025, and addressed to the chairman of the PDP in Jada 1 ward, Jada Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

A copy of the letter was shared on X by the Special Assistant on Media to the former Vice President on Wednesday.

The letter stated, “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the party.

“Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.

“As a founding father of this esteemed party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.

“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for. It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.

“I wish the party and its leadership all the best in the future. Thank you once again for the opportunities and support.”

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

EFCC To Appeal Ruling Acquitting Fayose Of Money Laundering Charges

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it will challenge the judgment that cleared Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti state, of money laundering and fraud accusations.

In his decision on a no-case submission, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ruled that the prosecution did not provide enough evidence to require Fayose to present a defence.

After the judgment, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs stated that the commission would obtain the certified judgment and begin the appeal process.

Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, had been re-arraigned on an 11-count charge of laundering ₦6.9 billion, allegedly during his time as governor.

The charges included allegations that Fayose received ₦1.2 billion for his 2014 campaign and accepted $5 million in cash from Obanikoro, bypassing standard banking procedures.

He was also accused of laundering several sums and using over ₦1.6 billion to purchase properties via proxies and firms such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

During the May 19 no-case submission, Kanu Agabi, Fayose’s lawyer, argued that the prosecution failed to prove its case and pointed out that Abiodun Agbele, allegedly central to the transactions, wasn’t charged, which weakened the EFCC’s position.

“With due respect, the predicate offences do not hold water. Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct offences, and no co-conspirator was charged,” Agabi stated.

He asked the court to find that Fayose had no case to answer.

Olalekan Ojo, lawyer for the second defendant, also submitted a separate no-case application dated March 21, 2025, with supporting documents filed on May 16.

Ojo contended that the main evidence provided by the prosecution, particularly Obanikoro’s testimony, was unreliable since he confirmed there was no direct communication between Fayose and Sambo Dasuki, the former national security adviser.

Jacobs, however, urged the judge to dismiss the no-case submissions, arguing that there were unexplained financial activities that needed clarification.

He questioned why Fayose didn’t use his personal account if the money was legitimate, referencing EFCC investigator Abubakar Madaki’s claim that Fayose acquired properties through associates who later denied ownership, even though Fayose admitted the properties were his.

“If the money was clean, why not buy the properties in his name?” Jacobs asked.

He also referred to Obanikoro’s account that Fayose requested the money in cash and introduced Agbele to receive it, saying Fayose must explain these actions.

Despite these arguments, the court ruled in favour of the defendants and granted the no-case submission.

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