Why Ordinary Nigerians Are Yet To Feel The Benefits Of Subsidy Savings

[upbeat music] Hello and welcome to Nigeria Daily.

From Media Trust, I am Daniel Ariyo Oluwole.

The federal government says the removal of petrol subsidy and the liberalization of the foreign exchange markets have generated about fifteen point eight trillion in savings for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.

According to the government, the additional revenue has helped fund infrastructure, support vulnerable Nigerians, expand access to credit, and enable governments at different levels to meet their financial obligations.

But nearly three years after the reforms began, many Nigerians are asking a simple question: If so much has been saved, why are ordinary Nigerians still struggling? Join us in this episode of Nigeria Daily as we ask, fifteen point eight trillion saved, but where is the impact? The removal of petrol subsidy remains one of the most consequential economic reforms in Nigeria's recent history.

While government officials describe it as a necessary decision to stabilize public finances and create more resources for development, many Nigerians say their daily realities tell a different story.

Food prices remain high.

Transportation costs continue to strain households' incomes.

Small businesses are grappling with rising operating costs, while many families say the cost of living has continued to increase.

So where has the money gone? Has the additional fiscal space translated into measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians? To help us understand the economic implication of the reforms, I spoke with Dr.

Isa Abdullahi, an economic analyst.