{
  "id": 5797090,
  "title": "15 northern states may collapse if subsidy returns, don warns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/15-northern-states-may-collapse-if-subsidy-returns-don-warns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T16:42:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/15-northern-states-may-collapse-if-subsidy-returns-don-warns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Professor Tunji Ogunyemi from Obafemi Awolowo University has warned that restoring petrol subsidy in northern Nigeria could cause the collapse of about 15 states within three months. He made this statement during an interview on Open Forum 360, in response to Atiku Abubakar's proposal to restore the subsidy if elected in 2027. Ogunyemi argued that the return of the subsidy would decrease funds available for the Federation Account, which most states rely on for financing government operations. Among the four major problems he cited, reduced Federation Account revenue was the most concerning, as he stated that only four states could survive without it.",
  "summary": "A professor warns that restoring petrol subsidy could lead to 15 northern states collapsing within three months due to reduced Federation Account funds. Read More: https://punchng.com/15-northern-states-may-collapse-if-subsidy-returns-don-warns/",
  "key_points": [
    "Restoring petrol subsidy could collapse 15 northern states in 3 months.",
    "Professor Tunji Ogunyemi warns of reduced Federation Account revenue.",
    "Only four states could survive without Federation Account funds."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "15 northern states may collapse if subsidy returns, don warns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/15-northern-states-may-collapse-if-subsidy-returns-don-warns-5800655",
        "published": "2026-09-05T17:07:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}