Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake says President Bola Tinubu took a political risk by ending the fuel subsidy to support the country’s long-term economic recovery, even as the decision triggers immediate hardship and public backlash. Alake makes the case that such reform choices often come with short-term costs that must be managed through an adjustment period.
Speaking in Abuja to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Press Corps, Alake argues that earlier governments recognized the need to scrap the subsidy but postponed action due to fear of elections and voter reaction. He says Tinubu prioritizes national interest over political calculations and “takes the bullets” for the wider public. Alake also contends the previous subsidy regime benefited oil-linked cartels and wealthy individuals more than ordinary Nigerians, pointing to fuel diversion and lower resources available for infrastructure and productive investment.
Across the reports, the differing emphasis is mostly on framing: one outlet highlights the minister’s view that Tinubu chose economy over politics, while another stresses the “political risk” narrative. Both describe the same core argument—that the removal, announced on May 29, 2023, is meant to reset Nigeria’s economy, despite early pain.
