The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with a detailed account of the N15.8 trillion it says was generated from the removal of petrol subsidy between June 2023 and December 2025.

The civil rights organisation also rejected the government’s position that there is no possibility of returning to the petrol subsidy regime, arguing that Nigerians should be allowed to debate policies that have a direct impact on their livelihoods.

HURIWA made its position known in a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko.

The group said the debate surrounding petrol subsidy should not be treated as permanently closed, particularly at a time when millions of Nigerians are still dealing with high transportation costs, expensive food and energy bills, and declining purchasing power.

HURIWA Questions Where the Savings Have Gone

A major issue raised by the rights organisation is how the money reportedly saved through subsidy removal has been used.

HURIWA cited figures attributed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who said the removal of the subsidy generated N15.8 trillion for the federation during the period under review.

According to the figures cited by the organisation, N5.4 trillion accrued to the Federal Government, while N10.4 trillion was shared among state and local governments.

However, HURIWA said the central question should not simply be how much government saved, but what Nigerians have received in return for the sacrifices associated with the policy.

The group is demanding verifiable information showing how the funds have contributed to areas such as transportation, healthcare, education, infrastructure, wages and social protection.

It argued that higher government revenue would mean little to ordinary citizens if the resources do not translate into noticeable improvements in their living conditions.

Group Challenges “No Going Back” Position

President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, shortly after assuming office.

The decision immediately changed the economics of fuel consumption and transportation across the country, while the subsequent increase in energy and transport costs contributed to a wider cost-of-living crisis.

The Federal Government has consistently defended the policy and maintained that returning to the old subsidy arrangement would be undesirable.

HURIWA, however, said government should not use the phrase “no going back” to prevent legitimate public discussion about the consequences of the policy.

According to the organisation, no economic policy should be considered beyond scrutiny, particularly when its consequences affect millions of Nigerians.

The group said citizens have the right to question policies that influence the price of transportation, food, electricity generation and other essential services.

Rising Energy Costs Remain a Concern

HURIWA argued that the impact of subsidy removal extends far beyond the price displayed at petrol stations.

Higher petrol prices increase transportation costs, while businesses that depend on fuel-powered generators and vehicles face higher operating expenses.

Those additional costs are eventually passed down through the economy, affecting the prices of food, goods and services.

The association said workers, pensioners, small businesses and low-income households have carried a significant part of the burden.

It also pointed to increases in the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas as factors that have reduced the purchasing power of many households.

HURIWA Says Reform Must Protect Citizens

The rights group acknowledged that the previous subsidy system had serious problems, particularly allegations of corruption and abuse.

However, it argued that eliminating the subsidy should not simply transfer the consequences of those failures to ordinary Nigerians.

HURIWA said the government could pursue economic reforms while also introducing mechanisms designed to protect vulnerable households from excessive increases in energy costs.

The organisation maintained that affordability and accountability should not be presented as mutually exclusive objectives.

Instead, it called for measures that could reduce the burden on citizens without recreating the weaknesses associated with the former subsidy arrangement.

Questions Over Benefits to Nigerians

For HURIWA, one of the biggest unanswered questions is whether the financial gains claimed by the government have produced measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.

The group wants the government to demonstrate how the resources have been deployed and what specific projects or programmes have been funded with them.

It argued that Nigerians deserve more than broad claims about savings and revenue.

According to HURIWA, there should be clear documentation showing the amount generated, how much was allocated to each level of government, and the ultimate destination of the funds.

The organisation has therefore called for greater transparency and accountability around the management of the resources.

Domestic Refining Also Part of the Debate

The subsidy controversy is also linked to Nigeria’s efforts to expand domestic refining capacity.

Government officials have argued that maintaining market-based fuel pricing can encourage investment in local refineries and help create a more sustainable petroleum industry.

HURIWA, however, said concerns about protecting domestic refining investments should not override the immediate welfare of Nigerians facing high fuel prices.

The organisation believes Nigeria can support domestic refining while still implementing measures to cushion vulnerable citizens.

It has also called for stronger controls to prevent corruption, smuggling and other forms of financial leakage.

HURIWA Calls for Review of Energy Pricing Policy

The group is now urging the Federal Government to reconsider aspects of its energy pricing policy and examine ways of reducing the burden on consumers.

It said any intervention should be designed in a way that protects Nigerians without creating another opportunity for corruption.

HURIWA also urged citizens to continue using lawful and constitutional means, including peaceful expression and protest, to communicate their concerns over policies they believe are harmful to their welfare.

The organisation maintained that economic reforms should ultimately improve the quality of life of citizens rather than leave them carrying most of the adjustment costs.

The Bigger Question for Government

The renewed controversy comes as Nigerians continue to debate the long-term consequences of petrol subsidy removal.

The government has presented the policy as an important part of its effort to strengthen public finances and create a more sustainable economy.

Critics, however, continue to argue that the immediate costs to households and businesses have been substantial.

For HURIWA, the solution lies in greater transparency.

The group wants the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with a clear account of the N15.8 trillion and demonstrate how the funds have been used to improve public services and citizens’ welfare.

As the debate continues, the question is increasingly shifting from whether subsidy removal has generated savings to whether those savings have produced tangible benefits for the Nigerian population.

HURIWA’s position is that Nigerians who have endured higher fuel and transportation costs deserve clear answers about the resources generated in their name.

The organisation is therefore calling for greater accountability, a review of energy policies and stronger protection for vulnerable citizens as the government continues with its economic reform programme.

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