President Bola Tinubu rejects calls to restore fuel subsidy, defends economic reforms and urges youth supporters to mobilise voters ahead of the 2027 elections
Tinubu: Fuel Subsidy Removal Puts Nigeria’s Economy on Growth Path
President Bola Tinubu has ruled out restoring fuel subsidy, insisting that reversing the policy would take Nigeria backwards despite the economic hardships associated with his administration’s reforms.
The President spoke on Monday at the State House, Abuja, during a meeting with members of the City Boy Movement and other youth support groups, including the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Movement.
Tinubu likened calls for subsidy restoration to asking Moses to lead the Israelites back to Egypt, warning Nigerians against abandoning reforms for temporary relief.
“You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt,” he said.
The President defended the subsidy removal, saying Nigeria could no longer sustain the financial burden without risking further economic difficulties. He also cited inherited financial obligations, pressure on foreign reserves and outstanding payments to foreign airlines as challenges his administration had confronted.
“I took difficult decisions from the first day of this Administration because I believed Nigeria could not continue on its previous path. We must not allow the country to go backwards,” Tinubu said.
He urged young Nigerians to examine the promises of opposition politicians carefully and compare them with his administration’s policies and record.
“Explain our policies. Present the facts. Compare our record and our plans with those of our opponents,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted government initiatives targeting young people, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Three Million Technical Talent programme and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation. He said his administration would continue expanding opportunities for young Nigerians in education, technology and public service.
The President commended the City Boy Movement for establishing grassroots structures across states, local government areas, wards and polling units, urging members to intensify voter education and community engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“You are not simply campaigning for me. You are campaigning for your own future,” he told the supporters.
The movement’s Director-General, Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, said the organisation was targeting at least 10 million youth votes for Tinubu in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Shoga claimed the group had registered approximately 4.6 million members and reached more than 50,000 young Nigerians through engagements across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
“We are committed to delivering a minimum of 10 million Nigerian youth votes in January 2027 in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas announced plans to introduce a public accountability initiative, the PBAT Stewardship Account, to provide information on government projects, interventions and legislative achievements.
Abbas said he would present details of selected interventions, including their locations, financial values and implementation status, alongside a scorecard of the 10th House of Representatives.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau urged the youth movement to use artificial intelligence and digital platforms to educate Nigerians about government policies, political records and the factors affecting the cost of living.
“I believe there is no other political organisation in this country doing what you are doing. This organisation is not only human-driven; it is also technology-driven and AI-driven,” Barau said.
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande described the gathering as evidence of growing political participation among young Nigerians and commended Tinubu for creating opportunities for younger people to serve in government.
