{
  "id": 5800655,
  "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",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-05T17:07:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/15-northern-states-may-collapse-if-subsidy-returns-don-warns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A university professor has cautioned that reintroducing petrol subsidies in northern Nigeria could cause up to fifteen states to fail within three months. This warning comes amid a proposal by a presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to reinstate the subsidy if elected in 2027. Tunji Ogunyemi, the professor from Obafemi Awolowo University, explained that this move would decrease the funds available from the Federation Account, which most states depend on for financing their operations. He warned that the financial consequences would not only affect these states but also the federal government, potentially impacting its ability to meet obligations to workers and pensioners. Ogunyemi also questioned Atiku's proposal, suggesting that he should be more explicit about the potential impacts of restoring the subsidy.",
  "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": [
    "Reintroducing petrol subsidies could cause 15 northern states to collapse in 3 months.",
    "Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar proposes restoring subsidy in 2027.",
    "Professor Tunji Ogunyemi warns of financial consequences for states and federal government."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-09-05T16:42:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}