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.
Dangote Refinery has explained that the recent adjustment in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, is a direct result of a sharp increase in global crude oil prices.
In a statement released on Sunday, the refinery emphasized that fluctuations in international oil prices inevitably affect the cost of finished products like petrol. This week, Dangote raised the depot price of petrol by 5%, bringing it from N899.50 to N950 per litre.
Despite this increase, Dangote pointed out that the 5% rise is much lower than the 15% hike seen in global crude oil prices.
Over a short period, Brent Crude has jumped from $70 to $82 per barrel, while Nigerian crude has an additional premium of about $3 per barrel in international markets.
Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has assured the public that telecom operators will not be allowed to raise tariffs by 100 percent, despite their ongoing calls for increases.
In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Tijani addressed the telecom companies’ request for higher tariffs, which they attribute to rising operational costs, inflation, and the devaluation of the naira.
While acknowledging the need for a tariff hike, Tijani emphasized that any increase should be manageable for the people.
“I think it should not exceed 30 to 60 percent,” he stated.
“We are not going to approve a 100 percent increase,” Tijani clarified. “The companies are asking for it, believing it is what they need to stabilize. But as a government, we must ensure the growth of the sector does not come at the expense of the people.”
He also mentioned that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is still evaluating the tariff increase, working carefully to balance the needs of the telecom sector with the economic impact on Nigerians.
According to Tijani, this will involve closely examining the figures and considering how the increase might affect consumers while ensuring the sustainability of the telecom industry.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed hefty fines on nine Deposit Money Banks for failing to ensure cash availability through their ATMs during the festive season.
The total fines amount to N1.35 billion, with each bank penalized N150 million for breaching the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines.
The affected banks include Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Keystone Bank, Union Bank, Globus Bank, Providus Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and Sterling Bank.
According to a statement by CBN’s acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, the sanctions reflect the apex bank’s zero-tolerance stance on cash flow disruptions, especially during high-demand periods.
Spot checks conducted on the banks’ branches revealed their non-compliance with guidelines aimed at ensuring the seamless availability of naira notes across ATMs during the yuletide season.
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