SUBSIDY, REFORM AND THE COURAGE TO CHANGE
ABIODUN OLUWADARE contends that reform should not be judged solely by its discomfort The 2027 presidential contest has barely begun, yet one important thing has already changed: the political conversation
Abiodun Oluwadare argues that political reforms should be evaluated based on their impact rather than discomfort. The 2027 presidential elections are approaching, and the political discourse is shifting from candidates to policies. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently stated he would restore a form of subsidy if elected, but clarified it would be a targeted, capped, and transparently budgeted production subsidy tied to domestic refining.
The proposal raises questions about the shift in Atiku's stance from 2023 to 2026. During the 2023 campaign, Atiku did not oppose subsidy removal but later proposed ending subsidies entirely. President Tinubu followed a similar diagnosis and removed the subsidy in May 2023, despite the hardships faced by citizens. The reform freed resources that could be allocated to education, healthcare, social protection, infrastructure, employment, and productive investment.
The key question is whether these resources have been effectively used to improve citizens' lives, not just how much the government saved or how much Nigerians paid for petrol.
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