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The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy and other reform agenda as an act of “extraordinary statesmanship”.
Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that President Tinubu had made it clear from day one that his administration would not shy away from tackling the most difficult reforms.
“Today, the Federal Government is no longer paying inflated subsidy claims enjoyed by the few privileged minority of our citizens; every Nigerian child is guaranteed a tertiary education courtesy of Nigerian Education Loan Funds,” he said at the 2025 Southern Summit of former legislators held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He stated that Tinubu acted as a leader and not a politician thinking about the next election.
“With the signing into law of the tax laws reform, President Tinubu has ushered in a new era of economic justice built on fairness, accountability, and national growth.
“These are actions of a politician thinking about the next generation, rather than the actions of a politician thinking about the next election.
“They are acts of extraordinary statesmanship, of a leader whose highest concern is the fortune of the Nigerian people and the next generations,” he added.
Tinubu, a Leader, Not Politician
The former lawmaker noted that Nigerians would benefit more from Tinubu’s policies in his second term.
“Let me put it in another way so that it sinks home. President Tinubu has made the choice to be a leader rather than a politician; a politician thinks about the next election, but a leader thinks about the next generation.
“The reforms you see now, which come naturally with consequences, will only start in the second term. But because of the conviction he has and because he knew the job to do, not for himself, not for the purpose of the next election, but for the purpose of the next generation, he decided to start the reforms from day one, risking everything.
While thanking Nigerians for their support for Tinubu, he stated the President was making decisions that should have been made years ago.
“But we thank God that Nigerians are so astute. They have seen and understand where Mr President is coming from and where he is going.
“We thank God, and we thank Nigerians, and those of you who have continued to send the message, it is now clear that Mr President is pressing the reset buttons, which should have been pressed many years ago,” Gbajabiamila added.
Fuel Subsidy
Fuel subsidy has been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s economy.
During the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, protests were held across states by civil society and opposition groups against plans to remove the subsidy.
During his inauguration as President on May 29, 2023, Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy, a decision attracted mixed reactions.
While critics condemned the decision at a time economic hardship facing Nigerians, his supporters back his action.
In March, the President told participants at the inauguration of the Planning Committee for the National Youth Conference at the State House, Abuja, that every decision he has taken so far, including the fuel subsidy removal was all about Nigerian youths and their future.
He assured that the ongoing economic reforms were designed to strengthen the economy for the prosperity of Nigerian youths, who constitute more than 60 per cent of the population.
“I want to reassure you that you are the hope of this country, and everything hangs on you. Every decision that I have taken is about you.
“It’s about the future. When we removed the fuel subsidy, it was because we wanted to protect your future. We have cleared the path for you to have a great future,” Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
Emir Sanusi Backs Removal
Last Saturday, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, defended its removal by Tinubu, arguing that the practice was not only unsustainable but would have driven the country into bankruptcy if allowed to continue.
“If you look at the billions and billions that were spent on subsidy, if that money had been spent on refineries… I have nothing against subsidies if you are subsidising production.
“My objection is the subsidy on consumption because we’re keeping refineries in Europe open. We’re giving jobs to refiners. And if we had taken action in 2012, we would not be where we are today,” he stated at the second edition of the Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST), organised by the Poetic Wednesdays Initiative (PWI).
“Now, people say to me, ‘Why aren’t you talking?’ I say, what am I to say? This is exactly what I said would happen because, beyond a point, government revenue will not be enough to pay the subsidy. You have to borrow to pay it,” the monarch added.
