Business
Obasanjo Criticizes Fuel Subsidy Removal Amid Rising Inflation and Protests
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo addressed the reemergence of the fuel subsidy in Nigeria, attributing its return to the inflationary pressures that have arisen since its removal.
The fuel subsidy, which was abolished in June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has reportedly reappeared due to escalating inflation, according to Obasanjo.
Obasanjo criticized the manner in which the subsidy was eliminated, arguing that the government failed to implement necessary preparatory measures before its removal.
He emphasized the need for a more strategic approach, suggesting that the removal of the subsidy was executed abruptly without adequate planning.
“The subsidy we thought we had removed is effectively back because of inflation,” Obasanjo noted.
He highlighted that there is considerable work required to address the economic issues at hand and called for a transition from a transactional economy to a transformational one to bolster investor confidence in Nigeria.
His comments come in the wake of persistent hunger protests across the country. These demonstrations, which began last Thursday, have now stretched into their fifth day, with a major demand being the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy.
In response to the protests, President Tinubu addressed the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, acknowledging the pain caused by the subsidy removal but defending it as a necessary measure. He argued that the subsidy was a significant burden on the country’s economic progress and development.
The impact of these economic changes is reflected in the sharp rise in core inflation, which surged to unprecedented levels of 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent in June 2024, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Hamster Kombat has introduced a new anti-cheating strategy to ensure fair play and protect dedicated players. The initiative targets those attempting to manipulate the game for extra benefits, issuing a “cheating is bad” warning that could affect their positions for the airdrop distribution on September 26. The team emphasized the importance of rewarding honest players and creating a secure environment.
As Season 1 of the Telegram-based Web3 game ends on September 20, Hamster Kombat will take a snapshot of the game’s activities to determine airdrop eligibility. The game, which has over 300 million users, is focused on maintaining fairness ahead of its upcoming Season 2 launch.
Binance announced the upcoming launch of “Moonbix,” a play-to-earn (P2E) game on Telegram’s Mini App. In this game, players explore galaxies, collect items, and earn crypto rewards. Although the game leaked early, Binance is fine-tuning it for an official release and warned users to stay cautious of impersonation scams.
Telegram Mini Apps, introduced in 2023, have seen massive engagement, with popular apps like Hamster Kombat driving crypto adoption. Telegram’s integration with The Open Network (TON) has further contributed to this growth.
The Federal Government generated around $1.2 billion from telecom license fees during the early stages of mobile technology in Nigeria, with major operators like MTN, Globacom, Econet (now Airtel), and Etisalat (now 9mobile) contributing to the sum.
These fees were instrumental in laying the foundation for the country’s telecom industry, which officially began in 2000.
The sector has since become a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo highlighted this achievement during a book launch held in Lagos on Tuesday.
He reflected on how the licensing of these operators marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s technological and economic development, allowing the country to leap into the era of mobile communication.
Obasanjo acknowledged the critical role these funds played in shaping the telecom industry, which has become one of the most significant sectors in the nation’s economy today.
The successful auction of these telecom licenses provided the capital necessary to build the infrastructure and networks that have connected millions of Nigerians, driving economic activity and fostering innovation across various industries.
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