NANS faults Atiku’s fuel subsidy pledge

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s promise to restore a targeted fuel subsidy if elected in 2027, calling it a short-term political fix rather than a real solution.

NANS President Akinteye Babatunde explained that the 2023 subsidy removal under President Bola Tinubu ended a wasteful system that drained trillions, fueled smuggling, and limited investments in education and health—urging the savings go to those areas instead.

While Atiku insists on a smarter version tied to local refining to ease transport and food costs, public views split between those craving quick relief from high prices and critics warning of repeated fiscal strain ahead of the elections.

Akinteye said returning to the old subsidy system without addressing its structural weaknesses could recreate the problems that made it unsustainable. He said the association’s position was not partisan but based on its responsibility to assess policies affecting Nigerians.

Akinteye acknowledged that subsidy removal in May 2023 had caused significant hardship but argued that the old system consumed trillions of naira, encouraged smuggling and disproportionately benefited heavy fuel consumers.

He said the real test of the reform was how the government uses the funds saved, insisting they should be channelled into education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and other sectors capable of improving Nigerians’ lives.

Atiku has maintained that he would restore subsidy to ease the burden of rising living costs. He recently clarified that the position was genuine after an aide suggested it would only be temporary. His camp has also said the intervention would target domestic production and reduce production and transportation costs.

NANS urged Atiku to reconsider his position, arguing that Nigeria cannot afford to return to heavy subsidy spending while suffering infrastructural underdevelopment and states struggle to pay workers without borrowing.

Akinteye called on 2027 presidential aspirants to present sustainable economic policies that address both immediate hardship and the structural weaknesses of the economy.

NANS maintained that reversing the reform without a sustainable framework could expose Nigeria to renewed fiscal pressure. The subsidy debate is therefore expected to remain a major issue ahead of the 2027 elections.