Implications of Fuel Subsidy Removal on the Nigerian Economy

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to offer some insights on the implications of the 2023 fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. Using the discourse analysis methodology, we offer some insight into the macroeconomic and microeconomic implications of the 2023 fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. The positive implications are that fuel subsidy removal would free up financial resources for other sectors of the economy, incentivize domestic refineries to produce more petroleum products, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, increase employment, channel funds for the development of critical public infrastructure, reduce the budget deficit and generate a budget surplus in the near future, reduce government borrowing, curb corruption associated with fuel subsidy payments, increase competition, reinvigorate domestic refineries and reduce pressure on the exchange rate. The negative implications are that fuel subsidy removal may decrease economic growth in the short term, increase inflation, increase poverty, increase fuel smuggling, increase crime, increase the prices of petroleum products and loss of jobs in the informal sector. It is recommended that the government should carefully evaluate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on individuals and businesses and provide palliatives and other economic relief programs to cushion the adverse effect on individuals and firms.

Keywords: fuel subsidy removal, Nigeria, economic growth, poverty, unemployment, corruption, fiscal deficit.

JEL Classification: H20, H30, N77