NANS Opposes Fuel Subsidy Reinstatement Calls

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), represented by National President Babatunde Akinteye, has rejected calls from some politicians to reinstate the fuel subsidy in Nigeria. Speaking at a youth summit in Akure, sponsored by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Akinteye urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to focus on ensuring accountability regarding the savings generated from the removal of the subsidy rather than advocating for its return.

He highlighted that Nigeria had operated the subsidy for about four decades, which was deemed financially unsustainable by various governments and economists. Akinteye pointed out that during the subsidy era, fuel scarcity persisted despite significant government spending.

He argued that reinstating the subsidy would impose an unbearable financial burden on the country, questioning the source of funding for such payments. He called for leaders to present practical plans for utilizing savings from subsidy removal to improve citizens' lives, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a beneficial program since the subsidy’s removal.