The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing the plan as a politically driven response to economic hardship rather than a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The students’ body said returning to the subsidy regime could recreate the economic problems associated with the policy and undermine efforts to address the structural challenges confronting the country.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, recently reaffirmed his position that a future administration under his leadership would restore what he described as a targeted fuel subsidy.
The proposal has generated renewed debate over the economic consequences of the removal of petrol subsidy, with supporters arguing that intervention could reduce transportation and production costs and ease the pressure of high living costs on Nigerians.
Atiku’s position has also attracted criticism from groups and political actors who argue that restoring subsidy would place additional pressure on public finances and potentially discourage investment.
NANS questions sustainability of subsidy
NANS, however, argued that the proposed return of subsidy would not adequately address the underlying causes of Nigeria’s economic difficulties.
The students’ body said government should instead focus on policies capable of improving productivity, reducing the cost of transportation, strengthening domestic production and creating sustainable economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
The association’s position comes against the backdrop of continuing concerns over the cost of living, particularly the impact of petrol prices on transportation, food distribution and other aspects of household expenditure.
The removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu shortly after his inauguration in May 2023 resulted in a major shift in the country’s petroleum pricing system and has remained one of the most contentious economic reforms of the administration.
Atiku defends proposed intervention
Atiku has maintained that his proposal is intended to address the economic burden created by high fuel prices and reduce production and transportation costs.
His camp has also clarified that the proposed intervention would be targeted, with the former vice-president arguing that the policy would remain in place until domestic refining capacity increases, supply stabilises and market competition deepens.
The proposal has, however, generated controversy following differing explanations from members of Atiku’s team about whether the subsidy would be temporary or maintained until specific conditions were achieved.
The Presidency has subsequently questioned the proposal, asking Atiku to explain how the proposed targeted subsidy would be funded, who would benefit and what conditions would determine its eventual removal.
FG defends subsidy removal
The Federal Government has continued to defend the 2023 decision to remove petrol subsidy, arguing that the reform has created additional fiscal space for government at federal, state and local government levels.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, recently said subsidy savings had released approximately N15.8tn in resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025, comprising about N5.43tn for the Federal Government, N6.52tn for states and N3.88tn for local governments.
The minister said the additional resources had supported expenditure on infrastructure, social investment programmes, security, agriculture and human capital development.
He also warned that restoring petrol subsidy would impose an additional burden on public finances, particularly because the government is already carrying significant expenditure on electricity subsidies.
Students demand long-term solutions
For NANS, the focus should be on addressing the structural problems that make Nigerians vulnerable to rising fuel prices rather than returning to a system the association believes could create further fiscal pressure.
The students’ body said young Nigerians needed an economy that promotes employment, entrepreneurship, affordable education and sustainable opportunities rather than policies that provide temporary relief without addressing underlying challenges.
The controversy over Atiku’s proposal is therefore expected to remain part of the wider economic debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with political parties and civil society groups likely to continue scrutinising the implications of subsidy restoration.
As the debate intensifies, NANS has made its position clear: rather than returning to the former subsidy regime, government should pursue policies that reduce the cost of living while strengthening Nigeria’s productive capacity and protecting the long-term sustainability of the economy.
