Effect of Fuel Subsidy Removal on the Nigerian Economy: Implications for Households in Nigeria

Authors

  • Grace A ADDAH Department of Business Administration and Management Studies Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37638/bima.6.2.1603-1615

Keywords:

Fuel Subsidy Removal, Nigeria Economy, Standard of Living, Development, Infrastructure

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the Nigerian economy, with particular emphasis on food prices, standard of living, and poverty levels among citizens. Methodology: A survey research design was adopted. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews administered to selected respondents. Descriptive analytical techniques were used to assess the socio-economic effects of subsidy removal. Results: The findings revealed that fuel subsidy removal has significantly increased food prices, leading to higher costs of basic commodities. It also negatively affected the standard of living, as households faced increased financial pressure and declining purchasing power. Findings: The study established that subsidy removal ha contributed to rising poverty levels by increasing the overall cost of living. Sectors such as transportation and food distribution were most affected, resulting in a general rise in the prices of goods and services. Novelty: The study provides household-level empirical evidence that highlights citizens’ lived socio-economic experiences following subsidy removal. Originality: It contributes to existing literature by directly linking subsidy removal to food inflation, reduced living standards, and poverty escalation using primary data. Conclusion: Fuel subsidy removal has had adverse socio-economic consequences for Nigerian households. Type of Paper: Research article. 

References

Abang, I. S. (2012). Enlightenment to the impact of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. Ibadan: Author Book

Adebiyi, O. (2011). Fuel subsidy: The true story. 234Next. http://234next.com

Adenikinju, A. F. (1998). Energy supply institutions and the state in an oil-exporting country. In Proceedings of the International Association for Energy Economics Conference (pp. 121–128). International Association for Energy Economics.

Adewunmi, M. R., Emy, H., & Iyewumi, T. (2014). The impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigeria. Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 2(12), 1–14.

Aleix, F. D., & Keller, S. (2014). Subsidies. World Bank.

Ayodele, O. (2014). The effect of fuel subsidy on Nigerian civil servants: A Christian ethical point of view. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 1(3), 1–12.

Bazilian, F. A., & Onyeji, A. G. (2012). Oil subsidy removal and a way forward. Vanguard Newspaper. http://www.vanguardngr.com

Bnovative. (2014). The history of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. Nairaland. https://www.nairaland.com

Delta State Wikideepa. (2016). Asaba population estimation. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta-state

Dennis, A. (2016). Household welfare implications of fossil fuel subsidy reforms in developing countries. Energy Policy, 96, 597-606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.06.039

Etinagbedia, G., & Nwokolobia, A. C. (2024). The joint state–local government account and the crisis of governance in Nigeria. Social Sciences, Humanities and Education Journal, 5(1), 154–162.

Ezeaagba, C. E. (2005). Deregulation of the Nigerian economy: Implications for the downstream petroleum industry.

Fischer, C., & Toman, M. (2000). Environmentally and economically damaging subsidies: Concepts and illustrations (Climate Change Issues Brief No. 14). Resources for the Future.

Global Study Initiative. (2011). People’s guideline to energy subsidies. International Institute for Sustainable Development.

Iheagwara, A. I., Nwiko, L. A., Out, O. A., & Chikwe, G. C. (2013). Non-parametric analysis of the effects of fuel subsidy removal on small business performance in South-East Nigeria. International Journal of Business & Management, 8(10), 45–58.

Ismail, O. S., Hezekiah, T., & Bilikisu, M. Y. (2014). The impact of gasoline subsidy removal on the transportation sector in Nigeria. American Journal of Energy Research, 2(3), 60–66.

Iyobhebhe, J. (2012). Removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria: Issues and challenges. Nigeriapolitico. http://www.nigeriapolitico.com

Kalra, K. B. (2006). Academic dictionary of economics (1st ed.). Academic Publishers.

McKenzie, K. J., & Mintz, J. M. (2011). The myths and facts of fossil-fuel subsidies: A critique of existing studies (SPP Research Papers No. 14, Vol. 4). University of Calgary.

Nkwagu, O. W. (2012). Fuel subsidy removal and the Nigerian economy (Unpublished manuscript).

Obasi, N. K. (2003). Foreign participation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. In Management of education in Nigeria (pp. 151–158). NAEAP Publications.

Oji, R. O., & Eme, O. (2014). The effects of subsidy removal on food items in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 6(1), 1–10.

Okolie, U. C., & Etinagbedia, G. (2024). The importance of ethical leadership and employee performance in modern organizations. Pinisi Business Administration Review, 6(1), 17–30.

Onyeizugbe, C. Z., & Onwuka, E. M. (2012). Fuel subsidy removal as a necessity for promoting business development in Nigeria. VSRD International Journal of Business & Management Research, 2(9), 1–13.

Oxford University Press. (2001). Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Sambe, N., Ahule, B. G., & Agba, S. A. (2013). Effects of fuel subsidy removal on food security in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, 3(2), 1–10.

Stephen, I. (2015). Impact of fuel price increase on the Nigerian economy. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(2), 123–131.

Todaro, M. P., & Smith, S. C. (2009). Economic development (10th ed.). Addison-Wesley.

United Nations Environment Programme. (2003). Energy subsidies: Lessons learned in assessing their impact and designing policy reforms. UNEP.

World Bank. (2009). Distributional incidence of subsidies. In World development report (pp. 114–119). World Bank.

World Health Organization, & Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council. (2005). Sanitation and hygiene promotion: Programming guidance. WHO.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-31

Issue

Section

Reasearch Paper