Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has criticised the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, saying the policy has failed to deliver promised economic benefits and has instead deepened hardship across the country.
Dalung made the remarks on Thursday while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
According to him, the policy has translated into rising poverty, hunger, inflation and worsening insecurity, rather than improving the lives of Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu had announced the end of the fuel subsidy regime during his inauguration in May 2023, arguing that the decision was necessary to prevent economic collapse and free up resources for development.
The administration has since maintained that savings from the move are being shared among the states.
Dalung however, argued that the decision was poorly handled, insisting it was taken without adequate consultation.
He said the announcement came at a time when the new administration was yet to be fully constituted, with no cabinet or policy team in place to assess the wider implications.
According to him, Nigerians accepted the policy in good faith, expecting tangible improvements in living standards. Instead, he said, the cost of living has continued to rise, leaving many citizens worse off.
The former minister also accused the government of failing to provide clear accountability on how the gains from subsidy removal have been utilised.
He argued that the huge revenues generated should have translated into better welfare for citizens.
Dalung further claimed that the current administration’s borrowing profile since 2023 has exceeded the total loans obtained under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability.
His comments added to the growing public debate over the impact of fuel subsidy removal and its implications for Nigeria’s economy and social stability.
