Amnesty International Nigeria has expressed concerns over the difficulties that the removal of fuel subsidies might bring to millions of Nigerians, urging the government to provide social cushioning and protection measures. The Acting Director of the organisation, Isa Sanusi, revealed that the decision of the new administration to remove the fuel subsidy has left many Nigerians worried about how they would be able to afford basic needs such as education, food, and healthcare.
While the removal of fossil fuel subsidies is necessary for countries to meet their human rights obligations in the context of the climate crisis, Amnesty International argues that this should not be done in a way that undermines the ability of people on low incomes to secure their right to an adequate standard of living. The organisation believes that Nigerians should not have to bear the consequences of decades of political and economic mismanagement of the subsidy scheme.
Furthermore, Amnesty International urged the government to respond to longstanding demands by civil society and parliamentarians to investigate the fuel market chain and hold accountable all those involved in smuggling, hoarding and ‘subsidy scams’ regardless of rank or status. The organisation is calling for urgent measures to be put in place to protect the rights of people most affected by the removal of the fuel subsidies.
Since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies during his inaugural speech, the price of fuel has skyrocketed, leading to long queues at filling stations and a spike in transportation costs by about 100 per cent. Amnesty International Nigeria has placed emphasis on the need for the government to provide social cushioning and protection measures in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidies, which would alleviate the severe economic burden that might befall low-income earners in the country.
