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Ex-Minister Nwajiuba: Buhari Maintained Fuel Subsidy to Avert Mass Hardship

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 16th, 2025.

Ex-Minister Nwajiuba: Buhari Maintained Fuel Subsidy to Avert Mass Hardship

Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, former Minister of State for Education, has stated that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari chose to maintain the petrol subsidy during his administration as a measure to prevent severe hardship and potential loss of lives among Nigerians.

Speaking in an interview on ARISE Television, Nwajiuba defended the economic choices made by Buhari, highlighting that the decision to retain the subsidy was rooted in concern for the well-being of ordinary citizens, especially during turbulent global economic conditions.

“He kept the subsidy in place to protect Nigerians from economic shocks that could have been fatal,” Nwajiuba explained.

He further emphasized the human cost that could have arisen had the subsidy been removed earlier, noting that the death toll over the past two years—linked to accidents involving fuel tankers and economic struggles—underscored the gravity of Buhari’s decision.

According to Nwajiuba, Buhari had expressed this concern in an interview with the BBC, prioritizing the safety and welfare of Nigerians over policy pressures.

Reflecting on Buhari’s tenure, he described it as a period marked by resilience, pointing to economic recovery following two recessions and the country’s navigation through the COVID-19 pandemic. “By the time he left office, the naira was still trading under N500 to the dollar. His economic performance was stronger than many acknowledge,” he said.

Nwajiuba also referenced recent data from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), which reported the closure of over 180 companies in just two years—an outcome he contrasted with the relatively stable environment under Buhari’s leadership.

He noted progress in sectors such as mining, non-oil exports, and crude oil reforms, attributing these gains to focused policy decisions, including innovations in condensate production and export frameworks.

“All the efforts in mining, export growth, and reforms in the oil sector were not accidental. Buhari may not have been perfect, but he made intentional, impactful choices,” Nw

ajiuba concluded.