Amaechi Unveils Atiku's Fuel Subsidy Plan For Nigerians
- ADC vice presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi outlined Atiku Abubakar's proposed fuel pricing plan at a townhall in Edo State
- Amaechi said the plan would set a lower domestic crude price for Nigerian refineries, with the difference recovered as a production subsidy from refinery owners
- The proposal drew sharp reactions online, with critics questioning its feasibility and comparing it to existing subsidy arrangements
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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over eight years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Edo State - Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, has detailed how an Atiku Abubakar administration plans to bring down the cost of fuel through a domestic crude pricing model.
Amaechi said the government would not directly fund any subsidy. Instead, it would create a policy that fixes a lower price for crude oil sold within Nigeria compared to the international market rate.
Source: Twitter
The former Rivers state governor stated this while addressing ADC supporters at an Townhall meeting in Edo State on Thursday, October 8, 2026
How the proposed fuel subsidy plan would work
Amaechi explained the mechanics of the plan using a practical example. If crude oil fetches N15,000 per unit on the international market, Nigerian refineries would buy it at N10,000.
The N5,000 difference would then be recovered as a production subsidy paid directly by the refinery owner, not the government.
"The price at which I sell crude on the international market will be different from the Nigerian market. We will do domestic pricing," Amaechi said.
"I will then sit with Dangote and tell him to give me a subsidy of N5,000. Once that happens, the price of fuel will come down."
He added that only refinery owners in Nigeria would qualify under the arrangement, effectively excluding importers of refined petroleum products from the scheme.
Reactions to Amaechi's fuel plan
The proposal generated debate on social media, with several Nigerians questioning its practicality.
@NigIsland wrote:
"Amaechi is simply repackaging subsidies under a different name. Selling crude below market value means Nigeria loses revenue. That's a subsidy, whether the government pays cash or not."
@akolawole11 raised concerns about cross-border trade, saying:
"And smuggling will be massive to Cameroon and other neighbouring countries. We that the subsidy is meant for will not see fuel to buy in Nigeria."
@jack_kevin26810 questioned enforcement, asking:
"So after that how will Dangote sell his products to other guys apart from NNPC(Nigeria)? Who will monitor the borders to stop smuggling? Army right, the same ones fighting terrorists also?"
@Gbenganesty was more direct in his criticism:
"This a true definition of voodoo economy and no one sane person is buying this bull. You see it on the faces of his audience. How will he subsidize the ones imported?"
@godsbeloved935 questioned the scope of the plan:
"These people don't rate Nigerians at all. So, how many refineries does Nigeria have that they will subsidies production? Or, it's Dangote refinery?"
@richy_os pointed to a gap in the proposal:
"Nobody is asking him about @NMDPRA_Official licensed importers of refined product. What happens to them and their installations?"
Not all responses were dismissive. @IamEddy92 offered qualified support:
"Now this is a plan, however faint it is, you can work with this and try to expand its structure. Nothing like I will remove the corruption from subsidy wey that Olodo Obi dey talk. Tell us your plan, let's see if it's workable or can be improved. Well done Ameachi."
Federal govt announces petrol price discount at NNPC stations
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that the Federal Government announced a petrol price discount at NNPC filling stations, with priority given to public transporters.
Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele made the disclosure at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday,
He also said it will negotiate a landing cost for petrol that will be reviewed every month.
Source: Legit.ng
