Many oil-producing countries have long maintained domestic fuel subsidies, even as the fiscal cost has ballooned, for fear of triggering civil unrest. But Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s decision to take a “cold turkey” approach to ending his country’s subsidies, and the lack of popular resistance to the move, suggests a way forward.
WASHINGTON, DC/ABUJA – In his inauguration speech in May, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the country’s decades-old fuel subsidy. This is not the first time that Nigeria has attempted to abandon the policy, which has had disastrous consequences for the economy and the climate. What is new is the quiescence of ordinary citizens. After declaring plans for a nationwide strike, the Nigeria Labour Congress backed down, and no other large protests have erupted.
WASHINGTON, DC/ABUJA – In his inauguration speech in May, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the country’s decades-old fuel subsidy. This is not the first time that Nigeria has attempted to abandon the policy, which has had disastrous consequences for the economy and the climate. What is new is the quiescence of ordinary citizens. After declaring plans for a nationwide strike, the Nigeria Labour Congress backed down, and no other large protests have erupted.