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President Tinubu Reveals why he Included Fuel Subsidy Removal in his Inauguration speech

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Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has on Friday described fuel subsidy as a “scam” and disincentive to growth, saying it rewarded smugglers and reduced the burden of the “real cost” of the commodity for some countries.

Tinubu made the assertion during a meeting with members of the Nigerian community in France, said a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, later that day.

Addressing Nigerians in France, Tinubu explained that the Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Wale Edun and Alake had excluded fuel subsidy removal from his inaugural speech, “but he felt it was expedient to stop the subsidy on the first day”.

President Bola Tinubu meets with Nigerians in Paris, France on Friday, June 23, 2023. Photo: State House
This marked the first time the President would publicly comment on his May 29 inaugural speech, in which he declared that fuel subsidy is gone.

The comment sparked a near-instant hike in prices and hoarding, leading to calls for protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). This is despite former President Muhammadu Buhari’s early moves to end the payment of fuel subsidy by June.

President promised to reposition the education and health sectors, adding that ongoing reforms on the economy would be sustained and expanded, with a view to relieving families struggling with the burden of poverty and insecurity.

The remarks come 11 days after the President signed the Students Loan Bill into Law.

See the full statement below:

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

DIASPORA NIGERIANS POUR ENCOMIUMS ON PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR DECISIVE ACTION ON ECONOMY, PRESIDENT PROMISES TURN AROUND IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, SPORTS, SECURITY,

ENERGY

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Friday in Paris–France assured Nigerians of repositioning the education and health sectors, while the ongoing reforms on the economy will be sustained and expanded, with a view to relieving families struggling with the burden of poverty and insecurity.

In an interactive session with members of Nigerian community living in France, who lauded President Tinubu for taking bold, decisive and visionary steps in fixing the economy, the Nigerian leader said more creative and innovate policies will be explored and implemented in areas that directly impact livelihood of Nigerians, like electricity sports and energy.

“To all of you, our hope renewed,’’ he said, welcoming plethora of suggestions going forward for the economy, and explaining some of the short-term and long-term framework for providing growth opportunities for individuals, families and institutions.

President Tinubu said the interest of Nigerians will always be protected, even in engagements with the international community, governments and multilateral institutions on global issues relating to climate change, energy transition, food security, trade, security and diplomacy.

“We have transport challenges, electricity challenges, infrastructural challenges and others. I let out the giant elephant of fuel subsidy without bringing down the house,’’ he said, adding, “Our diversity is our asset, if we know how to use it.’’

“We must promote unity and stability for all. Whether you voted for me during the elections, or not, I am your President. I will work on your behalf to ensure a turning point of prosperity,’’ the President told the gathering of professionals, including David Alaba, a footballer.

The President said he was presented with an option of meeting with a handful of Nigerians in France, but he preferred a larger number, pledging to be persistent, determined and focused on reforms for a better country.

President Tinubu explained that the fuel subsidy was a “scam” and disincentive to growth as it rewarded smugglers and reduced the burden of real cost of the commodity for some countries.

He said the Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Wale Edun and Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, had excluded fuel subsidy removal in his inaugural speech, but he felt it was expedient to stop the subsidy on the first day.

“It was the next day I called the GMD of NNPL,’’ he said.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Kayode Laro, thanked the President for accepting the proposal for the meeting with Nigerians on short notice and tight schedule, while the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Ereluwa introduced some of the experts in France.

“We have Nigerians who are doing great today among us. We have the diaspora day and diaspora investment summit that provides opportunities for us to celebrate them, and attract new interests,’’ she said.

Prof Emmanuel Iga, Abiodun Odunuga, Anino Elawa, commended the President for the great steps taken in three weeks to reposition the economy.

“You have shown we have a committed and competent leader. You are the first President, who has no godfather. You are your godfather. We are impressed with removal of subsidy and streamlining of foreign exchange. We will wait for the palliatives,’’ Iga said.

Nigerians at the event assured President Tinubu of their full support for his progressive ideas.

Special Adviser to the President
Special Duties, Communication and Strategy
June 23, 2023

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Umahi’s Dance Around the Figures: The Secrecy and Swagger Behind the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway

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By Babs Daramola

In a democracy, public officials owe citizens not arrogance, but answers. Yet Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, seems to prefer swagger to substance whenever questions arise about the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway -Nigeria’s costliest road project in history.

Again and again, the Minister is asked one simple question: “What is the actual cost per kilometre of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway?” And again and again, he dances around it.

Twice, fiery journalist Rufai Oseni of Arise TV confronted him on The Morning Show. Instead of answers, the Minister chose lashing out, trading civility for condescension.

It takes bravery for a journalist to stand firm in the face of government intimidation, and Rufai, in his characteristic element, did just that, refusing to cower.

Most recently, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde asked the same questions in the interest of public accountability -a bold move, even knowing he would be accused of playing politics.

Rather than engage the queries, Umahi dismissed Governor Makinde as an “electrician” who supposedly knew nothing about roads.

The “jab” landed, but the figures remained missing.Umahi insists road projects have no “cost per kilometre,” only “average costs,” because terrain and design vary.

That’s technically true, but administratively false. Every serious infrastructure project anywhere in the world has a cost per kilometre figure.

That’s how budgets are drawn, contracts are monitored, and public accountability is ensured. To pretend the figure doesn’t exist is not engineering; it is evasion.

For context, consider some other major infrastructure projects where official costs per kilometre were publicly disclosed:

Iseyin–Ogbomoso Road (Nigeria): ₦43 billion for 76.7 km, giving an officially announced cost of about ₦500 million per kilometre.

T3 Road, Chingola–Kasumbalesa (Zambia): $1.2 billion for 320 km, about $3.7 million per kilometre, officially recorded.

Uganda–Kenya Standard Gauge Railway: 273 km at about $2.25 billion, giving $8.2 million per kilometre, officially published in planning documents.

If it can be done for roads and railways across Africa, why is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway suddenly “mystical” in cost?

Cost is not the only cloud hanging over this coastal behemoth. In a press briefing last year, Arise TV correspondent Laila Johnson asked the Minister about the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Instead of answering, Umahi claimed he could not understand the question because of her “foreign accent”, a staggering display of dishonesty and evasion.

Months later, on The Morning Show, Rufai Oseni pressed the Minister on the same EIA issue. Till today, neither he nor his ministry has been forthcoming, leaving serious questions about transparency unanswered.

Perhaps the most immediate source of public outrage was that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway contract appears never to have gone through open, competitive tendering, as required by Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act.

Instead, it was quietly awarded to a favored consortium under terms shrouded in discretion, not disclosure.

Nigerians raised this issue, and in response, the Minister offered flimsy, dodgy, and ultimately controversial excuses.

That secrecy deepens suspicion that this is less about concrete and asphalt, and more about connections and access.

Let’s get this straight: the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is as laudable as it is ambitious.

As the world’s largest black nation, Nigeria deserves infrastructure of this scale and vision.

The highway, which will stretch across nine states, reclaim swathes of shoreline, and transform communities and livelihoods, could be a game-changer for national connectivity and commerce.

Yet the timing raises concerns: embarking on such a massive project when the country’s economy is at one of its worst and citizens are struggling to survive fuels public anxiety.

Layered on top of this are serious issues of transparency and accountability, which must be addressed if the project is to earn the public’s trust.

When journalists like Rufai and governors like Makinde demand numbers, they are not playing politics; they are upholding the principles of integrity, service, and public stewardship.

Calling them ignorant or unqualified doesn’t strengthen the ministry’s case; it simply confirms Nigerians’ worst fear: that something is being hidden behind technical jargon and political theatrics.

From “it’s an EPC + F arrangement” to “we are still negotiating costs”, Umahi’s explanations have become an art form of avoidance: a choreography of ambiguity on the stage of public accountability.

You cannot spend trillions of public naira and claim not to know, or not to disclose, how much of it builds a single kilometre of road.

Whether it’s ₦5 billion or ₦25 billion per kilometre, the figure exists. Nigerians are footing the bill; they deserve the truth.

Dave Umahi may be a fine engineer, but governance is not civil engineering; it is public stewardship.

And stewardship without transparency is corruption by another name.If the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is being built in good faith and at fair cost, the easiest way to prove it is simple: publish the numbers: cost per kilometre, EIA details, and procurement records.

Until then, the Minister’s performance remains what it looks like: a grand dance around the figures, choreographed to the rhythm of secrecy and arrogance, while the taxpayers pick up the tab.

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President Tinubu Celebrates son Seyi with Stirring Message

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has penned an emotional tribute to his son, as the younger man marks his 40th birthday today.

In a touching personal statement issued from the State House, President Tinubu praised his son’s character, accomplishments, and commitment to service.

Tinubu described Seyi as “a man of focus, courage, and humility” who continues to walk the path of impact and leadership.

He wrote: “You have walked your path with focus, courage, and humility, and you have done so with a heart that seeks to build, serve, and uplift others.

”The President while recalling Seyi’s early ambition and entrepreneurial spirit, he commended his son’s transformation of “ideas into institutions” and “challenges into opportunities”, citing his work in both business and service as evidence of a life built on substance and purpose.

“True success is not measured by wealth or power but by the impact we make and the lives we touch,” Tinubu said.

Describing 40 as a pivotal age, Tinubu extolled Seyi’s integrity, work ethic, and devotion to his own young family, including his wife Layal and their children.

He said, “Our entire family is proud of you.

“You have carried your name with honour and have remained faithful to the values of discipline, integrity, and hard work.

”President Tinubu concluded his message with a prayer for continued wisdom, peace, and good health for Seyi, urging him to keep inspiring others and making Nigeria proud.

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Federal University classrooms to become empty of Lecturers for two weeks – ASSU

Piwuna said the decision to begin total warning strike became imperative after the government failed to do the needful regarding its demands.

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• ASSU warning strike press briefing

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed all its branches across Nigeria to commence a two-week warning strike from tomorrow, Monday 13.

The President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, on Sunday, during a press briefing at the headquarters of the union located in the University of Abuja.

Piwuna said the decision to begin total warning strike became imperative after the government failed to do the needful regarding its demands.

ASUU had on September 28, 2025, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government as part of renewed efforts by the union to push for the resolution of long-standing issues within the nation’s university system.

The union stated that the strike action became inevitable after all attempts to engage with the government yielded no tangible results.

He declared: “Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their voices with effect from midnight 12.01 am on Monday 13th October 2025.

The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting.”

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