Nigerian actor and comedian, Oluwaseyitan Aletile, better known as Seyi Law, has commended President Bola Tinubu for taking the bold step of removing the fuel subsidy, a decision that has sparked mixed reactions across the country.

Despite the hardship many Nigerians have faced as a result of the subsidy removal, Seyi Law maintains that the decision is crucial for the country’s long-term progress.

According to the comedian, the fuel subsidy should have been removed long ago, as continuing it has only delayed the inevitable.

He reflected on the situation in 2012, during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, when efforts to eliminate the subsidy faced significant opposition, particularly from Tinubu’s political party, the then-opposition.

Protesters, including major political figures and activists, rallied against the removal, claiming it would add to the suffering of the average Nigerian.

However, Seyi Law believes that if the subsidy had been removed back then, Nigerians would have already gone through the painful adjustment period and would now be in a better place financially.

Seyi Law pointed out that in 2012, during the mass protests against the removal of the subsidy, he was one of the few celebrities who stood on stage to oppose the popular anti-fuel subsidy movement.

He recalled former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s warnings about the unsustainable nature of the subsidy, noting that the government at the time was borrowing money just to pay salaries.

He said this was a clear sign that the country could not afford to continue with the subsidy, but many people were not willing to face that reality.

Seyi Law’s comments highlight the complex history surrounding the fuel subsidy in Nigeria.

The subsidy, which was initially introduced to make fuel more affordable for the average Nigerian, has long been a topic of debate.

Critics argue that while it was intended to ease the financial burden on citizens, it eventually became a financial drain on the government.

Billions of naira were spent each year to keep the subsidy in place, even as other sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure suffered from underfunding.

In supporting Tinubu’s recent decision, Seyi Law acknowledges the pain Nigerians are going through but believes the long-term benefits outweigh the immediate discomfort.

He suggests that without the burden of the subsidy, the government will have more resources to invest in critical areas that can drive the country’s development, such as infrastructure and social services.

The removal also opens up the oil sector to more competition and investment, which could lead to lower prices and a more stable supply of fuel in the future.