Business
Mixed Reactions To Tinubu’s Fuel Subsidy Removal, Forex Unification
President Bola Tinubu’s recent announcement regarding the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of forex rates has garnered mixed reactions.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) responded by expressing skepticism, stating that they believe the President is merely testing the waters and lacks the determination to follow through with such actions.
In contrast, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), and the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s recent proposals.
They argued that the President’s decision to leverage various fiscal measures to boost domestic manufacturing indicated a positive future for manufacturers. NACCIMA also commended the President’s economic plans, considering them as significant steps taken in the right direction.
Director General, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in an exclusive chat with Vanguard yesterday, however, added that the president’s speech would still be subjected to critical considerations by the group soonest.
His words: “It is, therefore, highly commendable and an assurance of better days ahead to hear the President saying that his industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.
“For me, this is a positive development. It is an unmistakable indication of a far-sighted strategic choice, one that is borne out of a deep reflection on the current inclement manufacturing environment and the need to stop the drift into inglorious de-industrialization of the Nigerian economy.
“What is most gratifying is that it came from the President from day one. The issues of multiple and often times punitive taxation; conflicting and contradictory fiscal and monetary policy measures; skewed and poor management of the foreign exchange regime and the long overdue stoppage of the fuel subsidy were addressed in the President’s speech and I believe they resonate with manufacturers in particular and the business community in general.
“A marching order is needed to move the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, towards a unified exchange rate.
“We also expect that, in line with his promise to enable a supportive fiscal policy regime, the President will order a reversal of the unwarranted violation of the government‘s three-year excise escalation roadmap on alcoholic beverages and tobacco. As we have shown, the latest hike as contained in the 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures is not only going to ruin the affected sectors, it will be counterproductive for government revenue in the near future.”
Meanwhile, the Director General, NACCIMA, Dr. Sola Obadimu, said some of the promises made by Tinubu on the economy in his inaugural speech were good steps in the right direction.
Obadimu stated: “They are good steps in the right direction. He spoke on the need to harmonize forex rates which is also good for probity and attracting foreign investment, and for the need to make it easier for foreign firms to repatriate their money. These are all very good.”
Reacting, President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, in terse text said “The comment on fuel subsidy removal is not well thought out, coming as an inaugural speech.
“It is going to draw the economy of the country backward by over 50 percent within the next 48 hours. Nigerians will speak in one accord at the appropriate moment.”
In his reaction to subsidy removal, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE, Dr Muda Yusuf, said the decision of President Tinubu to put an end to fuel subsidy had enormous potential benefits for the country.
He said: “We welcome the position of our new President Bola Tinubu on subsidy removal. Fuel subsidy removal has enormous potential benefits. First, there is the revenue effect. The removal would unlock about N7 trillion into the federation account. This would reduce fiscal deficit, and ultimately ease the burden of mounting debt.
“Second, is the investment effect. Currently, it is extremely difficult to attract private investment into our petroleum downstream sector because of the unsustainable subsidy regime and the stifling regulatory environment. The subsidy removal will eliminate the distortions and stimulate investment. We would see more private investments in petroleum refineries, petrochemicals and fertiliser plants. Post subsidy regime would also unlock investments in pipelines, storage facilities, transportation and retail outlets. We would see the export of refined petroleum products petrochemicals and fertiliser as private capital comes into the space, and quality jobs will be created.
Uche Uwaleke, a Professor of Capital Market and President of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, joined the chorus of support for President Bola Tinubu’s proposal to eliminate fuel subsidy and unify the exchange rate. Uwaleke highlighted the significant economic burden that fuel subsidies impose on the country and expressed his belief that they are ultimately unsustainable. In light of this, he endorsed the removal of fuel subsidy as a necessary measure.
He said “I support the removal of the fuel subsidy due to its huge cost on the economy. Fuel subsidies have proven to be unsustainable.
“I equally support the unification of exchange rates because doing so will discourage round-tripping, bring more transparency to the foreign exchange (forex) market which supports foreign investments.
“However, in order to minimize negative impact on the livelihoods, issues of fuel subsidy and exchange rates unification which he mentioned in the speech should be handled with care. Stakeholder engagement is required,” he said. In his comments, Mr. David Adonri, Vice Chairman, Highcap Securities, said the plan, if carried out, would repair the damages caused to the economy by the twin problem.
He, however, queried Tinubu’s failure to address the rising debt burden, saying that a continuation of the borrowing spree would be detrimental to real economic growth.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inaugural speech addressed three critical pressure points on the Nigerian economy. These are insecurity that has crippled the rural economy, discontinuation of fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate.
“His remedial plans against these challenges can repair their damages to the economy. However, he failed to address the crippling debt burden which has fueled inflation and caused a rise in interest rate.
“His GDP growth target of a minimum of 6% per annum could be a mirage if he concentrates on secondary infrastructure development at the expense of primary infrastructure like was done under President Muhammadu Buhari.”
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has urged the Federal Government to add its member-stations to the petrol discount programme.
It cautioned that the current arrangement could limit the reach and deny vast consumers in underserved communities the benefits of the 30-day discount window.
The PETROAN also urged the FG to allocate at least 30 percent of the discounted petrol volume to outlets operated by its members.
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The calls followed last week’s announcement by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, of a petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) retail outlets, with priority given to public transport operators nationwide.
According to the National Publicity Secretary, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, the exclusion of independent marketers could undermine the programme’s effectiveness, particularly in communities where NNPC retail outlets have limited presence.
He argued that independent marketers, with their extensive nationwide distribution networks, were better positioned to extend the benefits of the intervention to consumers in remote and underserved areas.
“Independent oil marketers have over 90 percent coverage and presence in the nooks and crannies of this country. You are giving NNPC that is situated only in the town. So how do the poor masses, whom you intend to ensure that this petroleum product will alleviate their sufferings, how would they now get it?” Ukadike asked.
He said the association was not opposed to the government’s policy but insisted that independent marketers should be included to ensure wider access to the discounted product.
“But it’s government policies; we are not against government policies, but let it be all-inclusive; let independent marketers be part of it,” he said.
Ukadike also urged the government to extend the discount period to 60 days, citing logistical challenges that could delay the movement of petrol from coastal depots to other parts of the country.
“And the 30 days should be extended to 60 days. Because of the circulation of petroleum products, most times it takes two weeks for a truck to leave Apapa and get to Gombe, Maiduguri, because of the bad road and all the rest of them and loading process,” he added.
Similarly, PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, urged the Federal Government to allocate 30 per cent of the discounted petrol volume to the association’s retail outlets to facilitate broader national distribution.
In the bid to transform Tanzania into the East African regional energy hub, the country is on the verge of concluding an agreement with a consortium of energy companies, including a $42 billion LNG project.
It was gathered that the project is designed to tap the 47.13 tcf of gas discovered in Tanzania’s deep offshore fields, part of the country’s estimated 57.54 tcf in total discovered reserves, the sixth-largest in Africa, behind Nigeria, Algeria, Senegal, Mozambique and Egypt.
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Equinor and Shell would be the lead operators, alongside involvement from ExxonMobil Pavilion Energy and Medco Energi, while state oil major, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), would also hold an equity stake in the project.
“It’s almost there,” Khamis Mussa Omar, Tanzania’s finance minister, told Reuters.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring broad-based participation in the Dangote Refinery’s Initial Public Offering (IPO).
In a statement, the industrialist announced that investors applying with ₦50,000 and below will receive priority consideration as the company seeks to democratize ownership of one of Africa’s most significant industrial assets.
Dangote made the declaration during the final leg of the nationwide IPO roadshow held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where investors, financial market experts, business leaders and other stakeholders gathered to discuss the investment opportunity and its implications for Nigeria’s economic transformation.
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Speaking at the event, Dangote emphasised that the IPO should be viewed not merely as an investment opportunity, but as a chance for Nigerians to become shareholders in a landmark enterprise that is reshaping the country’s industrial landscape.
“We will prioritise people with ₦50,000 and below,” Dangote stated, underscoring the Group’s determination to make the offering accessible to small and medium-scale investors across the country.
He noted that while international and African investors had already committed substantial capital to the refinery, the IPO now offers Nigerians a rare opportunity to participate directly in the ownership of a world-class industrial project built on Nigerian soil.
According to him, investing in the refinery goes beyond financial returns, representing a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s future, institutional development, corporate governance standards and industrial capacity.
“African investors have invested in this refinery. Now it is time for Nigerians to invest in themselves and participate in a project that is creating value, jobs and opportunities for generations to come,” he said.
Dangote also encouraged prospective shareholders to adopt a long-term investment perspective, noting that participation in the IPO presents a pathway to wealth creation, portfolio diversification and increased public engagement with the capital market.
He added that wider participation in the stock market would deepen financial literacy, promote a savings and investment culture, and enable more Nigerians to better understand how businesses create value and contribute to economic growth.
The roadshow also featured insightful presentations from leading economists and market analysts on the refinery’s economic significance and the broader opportunities associated with the public offering.
Renowned economist Bismarck Rewane highlighted the enormous economic potential of the South-South region and stressed the need to convert the area’s resource endowment into sustainable prosperity, infrastructure development and improved living standards. He also noted that the IPO presents an opportunity to deepen Nigeria’s capital market by encouraging citizens to participate actively in wealth creation.
Similarly, economist Dr. Muda Yusuf outlined the refinery’s far-reaching impact on economic diversification, domestic value addition, energy security, capital formation and employment generation.
According to Yusuf, the refinery represents far more than a petroleum-processing facility, serving as a catalyst for growth across multiple sectors including petrochemicals, packaging, manufacturing, logistics and other downstream industries.
He further emphasized that policy consistency, regulatory stability and sustained stakeholder engagement remain critical to maintaining investor confidence and attracting long-term capital into Nigeria’s industrial sector.
Speaking on the investment outlook, stakeholders urged prospective investors to consider the company’s operational performance, valuation metrics and long-term fundamentals when evaluating the offer.
Yusuf also described the refinery as a major example of domestic value addition, noting that its extensive local content and industrial linkages would significantly amplify its contribution to the Nigerian economy.
Discussions at the event further highlighted the importance of sound monetary policy, affordable financing and a predictable business environment in supporting investment-led growth and industrial expansion.
The Port Harcourt engagement was particularly significant for the South-South region, with legal luminary and business leader Paul Usoro expressing satisfaction at the level of participation from investors across the region.
“My joy is to see the South-South well represented,” Usoro said, stressing the importance of ensuring that investors from the region take advantage of the opportunity presented by the IPO.
The Port Harcourt event marked the final stop of the nationwide IPO roadshow, concluding a series of engagements designed to deepen public awareness and expand participation in what is widely regarded as one of the most significant capital market offerings in Nigeria’s history.
For Dangote Group, the objective remains clear: to provide Nigerians from all backgrounds with an opportunity to participate in the ownership of a transformative industrial enterprise while contributing to economic growth, employment generation and national development.
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