Former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili has described the removal of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy under President Bola Tinubu as “a good reform implemented the wrong way,” warning that it has escalated inflation and inflicted hardship on vulnerable citizens.
Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Enugu, Ezekwesili emphasized that timing and execution are essential elements of any reform. She noted:
“The fuel subsidy removal was a good reform, but it was not properly prepared for. Inflation is punishing the populace, especially the poor.”
Ezekwesili argued that policy design must include protective measures for the most vulnerable, such as cushioning mechanisms and phased implementation. She cautioned that even well-intentioned reforms can backfire if rolled out abruptly.
Highlighting the impact on the nation, she revealed that 133 million Nigerians currently live below the poverty line. She also called on the legal community to maintain vigilance and preserve juridical independence in holding the political class accountable.
