President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment of fuel subsidy, a move that may raise eyebrows given his earlier commitment to removing the subsidy.
According to sources, the President gave the nod for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to use the 2023 dividends due to the federation to fund the subsidy. This decision was made after NNPCL complained of exhausting all strategies to ensure a stable gasoline supply in the country.
The approval is expected to cover the forecasted subsidy expense of N6.884 trillion from August 2023 to December 2024. However, it remains unclear how this move will impact the government’s finances and its earlier vow to remove the subsidy.
The development has sparked questions about the government’s commitment to economic reform and its ability to follow through on its promises. As the story continues to unfold, Lagos Reporters will provide updates on this significant development.