President Bola Tinubu has ruled out reversing the removal of petrol subsidies, arguing that the policy has created opportunities for economic growth. Speaking at a meeting with youth support groups at the State House in Abuja on Monday, he criticised opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, for proposing to restore the subsidy if elected.
Tinubu compared calls for the subsidy’s return to asking Moses to lead the Israelites back to Egypt, insisting that Nigeria could not afford to abandon its economic reforms. He said the country had struggled with depleted foreign reserves, outstanding financial obligations and excessive money printing when he assumed office, adding that subsidy removal was necessary to prevent further financial strain.
The President said his administration was pursuing reforms in taxation, public finance and other sectors to place the economy on a sustainable growth path. He also pointed to emerging economic indicators as evidence that the reforms were beginning to yield results, while urging Nigerians to consider the practical implications of opposition parties’ policy promises.
Tinubu highlighted several youth-focused programmes, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he said had benefited more than one million students, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation and the Three Million Technical Talent programme. He also reaffirmed his commitment to reducing disruptions to university academic calendars and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians to serve in government.
The meeting included members of the City Boy Movement and the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Movement. City Boy Movement Director-General Francis Shoga said the group was targeting at least 10 million youth votes for Tinubu in January 2027. He said the organisation had registered approximately 4.6 million members and reached more than 50,000 young Nigerians through engagements across the six geopolitical zones.
Shoga said the movement would intensify grassroots mobilisation, door-to-door campaigns and voter education across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Meanwhile, the director-general of the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Movement, Ahmed Bala, claimed that his organisation had documented more than 340 achievements of the administration and attracted over three million members within two weeks.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau urged the groups to use artificial intelligence and digital platforms to educate voters about government policies, opposition records and the economic effects of international conflicts.
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also announced plans to launch a public accountability initiative called the PBAT Stewardship Account. He said he would hold a media briefing within 14 days to present details of government projects, interventions, their locations, financial values and implementation status, alongside the legislative achievements of the 10th House of Representatives. Abbas urged public officeholders to provide regular, verifiable accounts of their performance.
