President Bola Tinubu has said that the decision to remove subsidy on petrol during his swearing-in ceremony in Abuja
was a challenging one, but necessary to ensure a transparent and accountable energy sector.
The President, who spoke on Tuesday at the opening of the 2024 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), in Abuja, acknowledged that the decision has led to hardship, especially amongst low-income earners, but assured that the economy would improve soon.
Represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Tinubu said energy security was a priority for his administration.
He said: The petroleum subsidy has, over the years, strained our economic resources, leading to inefficiencies and, most importantly, hindering our ability to invest in critical areas of energy security.
“By removing the subsidy, we are creating a more transparent and accountable energy sector. The funds that were previously allocated to subsidising petroleum products are now redirected towards developing and upgrading our energy and other social infrastructure.
“Furthermore, the removal of the subsidy has encouraged further private sector participation in the energy industry, with the potential to attract more local and international investors and foster innovation and competition that will drive down costs and improve the overall efficiency of our energy sector.”
Acknowledging the hardship caused by the decision, the President said: “I am acutely aware of the immediate impact this decision may have had on our citizens, especially those with lower incomes.
Therefore, in parallel with the subsidy removal, my administration is committed to implementing social intervention programmes to mitigate the short-term effects on vulnerable populations. These programmes will ensure that the burden of subsidy removal is shared equitably and that the most vulnerable among us are protected.