RismadarVoice Reporters
September 12, 2026
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said his plan to restore fuel subsidy is aimed at supporting domestic refining and reducing petrol and transportation costs for Nigerians.
Atiku, in posts on his X account, described the proposal as a production subsidy, rather than a return to subsidising imported fuel.
He explained that the government would support locally refined crude oil to enable domestic refineries to produce petrol at lower costs, with the savings expected to benefit consumers.
Using local shoemakers as an example, Atiku said the government should prioritise reducing production costs for Nigerian businesses instead of spending public funds to make imported products cheaper.
He said the same principle would apply to the petroleum sector by supporting local refineries, creating jobs and making fuel more affordable.
According to the former vice-president, cheaper petrol would have a wider impact on the economy by reducing transportation costs, easing the movement of food from farms to markets and lowering energy expenses for small businesses.
Atiku said the policy was designed to put more money in the pockets of Nigerians and reduce the pressure caused by high living costs.
He also said lower fuel and transport costs would particularly benefit women running small businesses and help families cope with rising household expenses.
Atiku pledged that his proposed policy would focus on domestic production, job creation and making everyday life more affordable for Nigerians.
