President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his stance on the removal of fuel subsidy, declaring he has no regrets about the decision, despite ongoing economic challenges.
Tinubu made this assertion on Monday evening during his first presidential media chat since assuming office.
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The President emphasized that subsidizing fuel was economically unsustainable, particularly given its impact beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“I don’t have any regrets removing fuel subsidy,” Tinubu stated. “We can’t be subsidizing the entire West Africa sub-region. Either we slice it in half or bits, we still have to completely remove it.”
On national security, Tinubu noted improvements, claiming significant progress in making previously unsafe routes viable for travel.
“Two decades of wanton killings have been addressed. Today, you can travel the roads. Before now, it was impossible,” he said, adding that the military remains vigilant against both internal and external threats to ensure the safety of citizens.
Addressing fiscal management, the President highlighted his administration’s efforts in ending the reliance on the “ways and means” model. He asserted that the government now operates under financial discipline.
“We have more revenue being generated and distributed,” Tinubu noted.
The President also underscored the autonomy granted to local governments as a key milestone, linking it to his long-standing advocacy for grassroots empowerment, a stance he maintained during his tenure as Lagos State Governor amid clashes with the Obasanjo administration.
While acknowledging the country’s ongoing challenges, Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future.
“Regardless of critics, Nigeria is on the path of recovery. We can’t finish the job in one calendar year, and I am not giving myself an excuse—it’s only been 18 months,” he said.
