Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s courage in ending the long-standing fuel subsidy regime, describing it as a bold move resisted by powerful interests.
While referencing how previous governments struggled with the issue of fuel subsidy, Shettima hailed Tinubu’s courage and conviction in ending the era, despite an alleged oil cabal’s efforts to stop the move.
The VP stressed that his principal stood his ground because he acted in the best interest of the Nigerian citizens.
“While the fuel subsidy had been an albatross around the neck of successive administrations, he had the courage and conviction to remove it. The oil cabal fought back, but he refused to budge. He stood his ground because he acted in the best interest of Nigerians,” Shettima stated while hosting members of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shettima declared that the policy reforms rolled out by President Tinubu’s administration, though painful, are necessary steps taken in the best interest of Nigerians.
Shettima emphasised key economic decisions taken by President Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy, realignment of Nigeria’s multiple exchange rate systems, and comprehensive tax reforms—all of which, he said, are being implemented to stabilise the economy.
According to Shettima, Tinubu’s background in the business world has made him particularly attuned to the needs of the private sector.
“The current administration is your own because the President speaks your language, the language of commerce. He grew up in that ecosystem, understands how businesses are run, and was the financial controller at Mobil,” he stated.