How Tinubu is Using Subsidy Gains to Fund Education, Health and Infrastructure

In the wake of President Bola Tinubu's assumption of office, the Nigerian government has embarked on a bold initiative to utilize the gains of removing the fuel subsidy to fund crucial sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure. Kehinde Olaosebikan reports on this transformative approach.

The removal of the fuel subsidy, which had long hindered Nigeria's social and economic development, has provided the Federal Government with the resources necessary to revitalize these vital areas. Olaosebikan highlights the significance of this development, stating that by alleviating the burden of education and healthcare from the masses, a significant portion of poverty in Nigeria could be addressed.

Echoing the vision of former Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Tinubu administration is implementing Awolowo's Four-Cardinal Programme, which includes free education, free healthcare, gainful employment, and rural-urban integration. Under Awolowo's leadership in the 1950s, free primary education and healthcare were provided, and rural-urban integration was emphasized through the construction of solid roads, development of industries, and establishment of educational institutions and healthcare facilities.

Currently, the Federal Government is leveraging the funds freed from the subsidy removal to make education more accessible. Through the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the burden of tertiary education has been alleviated for over 1.5 million Nigerian students, who can now pursue their studies without the worry of tuition fees. Additionally, the government is revitalizing primary healthcare centers, improving drug supply chains, and implementing health insurance programs.

At the state and local government levels, the onus lies on these entities to ensure the provision of free quality secondary education, primary/secondary healthcare, and functional primary healthcare centers in every ward. This approach builds upon the successes achieved by Awolowo's government and UPN governors, who also implemented similar policies during their respective terms.

Moreover, Tinubu's administration is actively working to integrate rural Nigeria, as exemplified by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Wike has demonstrated remarkable progress in integrating urban and rural communities within the FCT, with roads, water, schools, and clinics reaching previously neglected areas.

At the federal level, significant highway projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos-Maiduguri Super Highway are being developed, connecting rural areas to major markets and creating employment opportunities.

In summary, the pain experienced during the subsidy removal process has been transformed into a gain for the nation. The funds generated from this initiative are being strategically invested in the classroom, clinic, highway, and village, aligning with Awolowo's vision for a new Nigeria built on true federalism. It is now imperative for states and local governments to seize this opportunity and deliver on their commitments to ensure that the gains of this transformative government policy are fully realized.