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Subsidy Removal: ‘I Feel Your Pain, Your Sacrifice Won’t Be In Vain’, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

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President Bola Tinubu on Monday sympathised with Nigerians over the pains of the recent subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit known as petrol. 

In his 2023 Democracy Day speech on June 12, the President said his decision to remove fuel subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023 is to save Nigeria country from going under and take the country’s resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.

He asked Nigerians to sacrifice a little more for the survival of the country.

Democracy Day is celebrated yearly on June 12 in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola and other heroes of democracy.

Addressing Nigerians on Monday, Tinubu said, “The democracy that will yield right dividends to the people who are the shareholders means more than just freedom of choice and right to get people into elective offices. It means social and economic justice for our people.

“To the winner of June 12, democracy offers the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty. Thirty years ago, he (MKO Abiola) christened his campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was convinced that there is nothing divine about poverty. It is a man-made problem that can be eliminated with clearly thought-out social and economic policies.

“It is for this reason that, in my inauguration address on May 29, I gave effect to the decision taken by my predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a few rich.

“I admit that the decision will impose extra burden on the masses of our people. I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.

“Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain. The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.”

From N184/Litre To Over N500

The President during his inaugural speech on May 29 at the Eagle Square in Abuja had announced the removal of subsidy payment on petrol. The President said that the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari did not make provisions for subsidy in the 2023 budget beyond June.

Many Nigerians had expected that the new price regime would come into effect by July 1 but almost immediately after the presidential pronouncement, queues resurfaced at filling stations across the country even as retail outlets hoard the product and increase prices.

Already, a litre of petrol is being sold at over N500 across the country following the price adjustment by the Nigerian National Petrol Company (NNPC) Limited and the presidential pronouncement on subsidy removal.

Fuel queues have since surged for the vital commodity, compounding the traffic situation in parts of the country, even as transportation costs skyrocket to more than 100% increment.

The Organised Labour had resolved to embark on a nationwide strike beginning Wednesday but was restrained by a court order of Monday, June 5, 2023. The Organised Labour subsequently shelved its planned strike after a meeting with the Federal Government last week.

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Nigeria Police Unveils New IGP Portrait

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The Nigeria Police Force has recently unveiled the official portrait of the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu (also referred to as Tunji Disu).

This follows his appointment as Acting IGP on February 24, 2026, after the resignation of the previous IGP, Kayode Egbetokun (who cited family reasons).

The Nigeria Police Council unanimously confirmed and endorsed Disu as the substantive IGP on March 2, 2026, during a meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu. His formal swearing-in is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The portrait was released on March 3, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, via official channels (including X/Twitter and the Nigeria Police Force’s social media).

It depicts Disu in full police uniform and is set to be displayed at key police formations nationwide as part of the formal recognition of his leadership role as the 23rd indigenous IGP.

Disu, born April 13, 1966 (age 59), hails from Lagos Island and joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992. He has a background in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security studies, and more.

Prior roles include heading the Special Protection Unit and Force CID Annex in Lagos, and he previously served as Aide-de-Camp to then-Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu (during which time Egbetokun was also in the governor’s security detail).

This marks a leadership transition amid ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, with congratulations and discussions already circulating on social media and news outlets.

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BRT Bursts into Flame on Mile-12 Bridge in Lagos

Passengers quickly evacuated the vehicle and moved to safety following the outbreak of the fire.

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Passengers narrowly escaped death on Tuesday when a moving Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus caught fire on the Mile-12 Bridge along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

Eyewitnesses reported that the high-capacity bus burst into flames mid-morning while in transit.

Passengers quickly evacuated the vehicle and moved to safety following the outbreak of the fire.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, working alongside other emergency responders, promptly extinguished the blaze.

The burnt bus was later removed from the bridge to prevent disruption to traffic flow.

The burnt bus was later removed from the bridge to prevent disruption to traffic flow.

Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from the incident.

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President Tinubu nominates Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance

Before President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Oyedele(from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State), was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

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Taiwo Oyedele and President Tinubu. Credit: State House Photo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Taiwo Oyedele as the minister of state for finance, replacing Dr Doris Anite-Uzoka.

Anite-Uzoka will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration. President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Before President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Oyedele(from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State), was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance.

He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joined in 2001 and rose to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.

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