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( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                          Gbenemene Kpae*  Farouk Salami Adinoyi 

 
https://ijojournals.com/                                                      Volume 07 || Issue 04 || April, 2024 || 

EXAMINING THE SUITABLE PALLIATIVES IN CUSHIONING THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA 

 

 

EXAMINING THE SUITABLE PALLIATIVES IN CUSHIONING 

THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA 

 

Farouk Salami Adinoyi 

Sociology Department, Federal University, Lokoja 

Gbenemene Kpae 

Department of Sociology, University of Porthacourt 

Abstract  
Various operational indicators pinpoint fuel subsidy as a major instrument in poverty 
reduction in Nigeria. However, its removal in 2023 by the administration of president Bola 
Ahmed Tinubu may have constitute a major obstacle to Nigeria’s Poverty reduction. It has 
been contended and reiterated that several interventions in the form of palliatives may have 
significant improvement in cushioning the economic hardship of fuel subsidy removal.  
Plagued with the challenges of Conflicts, insecurity and insurgency, the debate on the 
suitable operational palliatives to cushion or reduce the economic hardship of fuel subsidy 
removal exacerbate this study. Putting into consideration the economic fragility of the most 
populous country in Africa which palliatives best suit Nigerians. The operational theory for 
this study includes Progressive Social Theory, Geographical Disparities Theory, Cyclical 
Interdependence Theory and theory of Social Exclusion /Cumulative Disadvantage. The 
nature of the study was a qualitative one, and the content analysis method was used to 
analyse the secondary data.The study found that lack of transparency in previous palliatives 
particularly during Covid-19 pandemic fueled public skepticism in the present government 
fuel subsidy removal palliatives. It, therefore, recommends that there should be 
accountability and transparency in the distribution of fuel subsidy removal palliatives as a 
way of enhancing public confidence in the process. It also recommends the inclusion of other 
stakeholders besides party loyalists, such as community leaders, civil society groups, 
opposition party, and academia in the palliative committee. 
 
Keywords: Fuel subsidy, Poverty alleviation, palliatives and social inclusion. 
 
 
*INTRODUCTION 
 
What is the meaning of fuel subsidy? Fuel subsidy is government's financial aid to her 
populace in paying for the difference between the pump price of fuel at the filling stations 
and the actual cost of importation. Subsidy mechanisms are also notoriously prone to 
corruption; this creates vested interests to those who strongly oppose reform (Inchauste et al., 

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IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                          Gbenemene Kpae*  Farouk Salami Adinoyi 

 
https://ijojournals.com/                                                      Volume 07 || Issue 04 || April, 2024 || 

EXAMINING THE SUITABLE PALLIATIVES IN CUSHIONING THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA 

 

 

2018; Coxhead and Grainger, 2018), as well as oppositions that use allegations on reforms’ 
compatibility to protest against governments that are felt to be illegitimate (Hossain et al., 
2018). The orchestration of fuel subsidies would be to improve Nigeria's economy if the 
dividends of subsidy removal are genuinely used for developmental purposes. Poverty 
reduction and social inclusiveness should be the reward for subsidy removal not the opposite. 
However, this study examines and support which palliatives will best serve as long term 
benefits in cushioning the economic hardship on the citizenry. People will most likely support 
reforms to for their genuine welfare. Trust in government, in general, appears to influence 
peoples' openness to subsidy reforms (Moerenhout et al., 2017; Inchauste and Victor, 2017). 
 
Appraising the subsidy removal regime’s score card in dispensing her role is on her ability to 
redistribute or reinvest savings from subsidy removal and not share it among the elite few in 
Nigeria. Let's not forget redistribution of resources equitably without relapse to fear and 
favour for the elite few is part of the implicit social contract between Nigerian citizens and 
the subsidy removal regime. Therefore, removing subsidies and sharing the huge portion of 
the savings between the elites few without improving social welfare protection may be 
considered a bridge of the social contract, which can give rise to protest and political 
instability in a politically sensitive country like Nigeria. Conversely, if people believe that the 
state is fulfilling its obligations by providing better services and transparently investing the 
savings from fuel subsidy reform into sectors of direct relevance to households (e.g., health, 
education, and infrastructure), then they may be willing to accept subsidy reforms and 
supporting the government in her administrative duty.  
 
*STATEMENT OF PROBLEM 
The introduction of palliative by the government is to address the hardship of fuel subsidy 
removal. However, the choice of palliative and distribution of palliative materials has come 
with indicators that affect the genuine process and purpose of the use of palliative in 
cushioning the economic hardship of fuel subsidy removal. The choice and the adoption of 
palliative distribution always leave dissatisfaction and distrust the people have for the 
government. While the intention behind the choice and distribution process is good, the 
operational reality always leaves the poor majority yawning after been robbed of their 
palliatives.  As such, the statement of problem of this study also includes, the operational 
failure of sharing palliatives and how the majority poor have been orchestrated through social 
exclusive. Party affiliation may also play a major role in the distribution of palliatives within 
states, as such, palliatives are given to political party loyalists to distribute in their respective 
states. Used as instrument of rewarding friends and punishing foes, the genuine intention 
behind palliative will then be unattainable. The existence of this variable of politicising 
palliatives will make even the best operational process on the choice and distribution of 
palliatives fail. 
 
Unarguably, indepth planning, and commitment to the provision of adequate palliative must 
be centered on general inclusiveness. Arguably, opposition party loyalists should be included 
in committee of palliatives to enhance more social inclusiveness and prevent politicizing 
palliatives.In August 2023, the fuel subsidy removal regime approved 5billion Naira to each 
of the 36 States in buying food items for their populace. Palliatives distribution in form of 

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IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                          Gbenemene Kpae*  Farouk Salami Adinoyi 

 
https://ijojournals.com/                                                      Volume 07 || Issue 04 || April, 2024 || 

EXAMINING THE SUITABLE PALLIATIVES IN CUSHIONING THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA 

 

 

food items and other materials already has the history of civil unrest, lifting of belongings 
without consent, and other criminality emerged in the process of distribution. The fuel 
subsidy removal regime may also face similar problem of civil unrest, breach of lockdown 
and looting.  
 
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY 

1. Pinpointing sustainable short-term and long-term palliatives in cushioning economic 
hardship of fuel subsidy removal. 

2. To enhance poverty reduction in Nigeria 
3. To cushion public looting of palliatives and unrest 
4. To build trust of the populace in the subsidy removal government 
5. To enhance Social inclusion.  
6.  

 
*THEORETICAL REVIEW 
 
Progressive Social theory 
Liberals today argues on other intervals of major growth in government activity by increasing 
the economic security of people and restoring stable, economic growth.  Generally, 
conservatives view government growth as the result of having been, from their perspective, 
too sensitive to societal pressures to societal pressures to undermine, distort, and otherwise 
mismanage the natural workings of the market system.  Their point is that the correct 
response to economic distress is to allow market forces to sort themselves out; government 
intervention will only result ultimately in more severe economic distress and restrictions on 
personal freedom.  Conservatives tend to be sceptical about such periods of government 
“growth” as the Progressive Era, New Deal, or post-World War II efforts to manage macro-
economic policy and to reduce socioeconomic inequality through the Great Society programs.    
 
Geographical disparity theory 
This theory is based on poverty caused by geographical disparities. The theory calls attention 
to the fact that people, institutions, and cultures in certain areas lack the objective resources 
needed to generate well-being and income, and that they lack the power to claim 
redistribution. 
 
Social exclusion and social capital approach 
Social exclusion refers to a situation where people suffer from the cumulative disadvantages 
of labour market marginalization, poverty, and social isolation. This theory stresses the 
interrelation between social exclusion, social capital and the occurrence of poverty and 
recognize the importance of the structural characteristics of society and the situation of 
certain groups. Social exclusion and social capital theories are, among all, the reviewed 
approaches, arguably the ones that focus most on understanding the intrinsic processes that 
allow deprivation to arise and persist. Nevertheless, the wide definition of poverty considered 
under these theories comes at the cost of being less precisely defined and more challenging to 
quantify and address by policy. Neoclassical theories argues that poverty goes beyond 
individuals’ control. These include lack of good economic reforms by the government.  

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IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                          Gbenemene Kpae*  Farouk Salami Adinoyi 

 
https://ijojournals.com/                                                      Volume 07 || Issue 04 || April, 2024 || 

EXAMINING THE SUITABLE PALLIATIVES IN CUSHIONING THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA 

 

 

 
The Neoliberal school 
The Neoliberal school led by the new-Keynesians also adopts a money-centred, individual 
stance towards poverty, the importance assigned to the functions of the government allows 
for a greater focus on public goods and inequality. For instance, a more equal income 
distribution can facilitate the participation of disadvantaged groups of society in the type of 
activities that are deemed essential under broader notions of poverty. On the other hand, new-
Keynesians are in line with neoclassical economists in their belief that overall growth in 
income is ultimately the most effective element in poverty removal.  
 
Marxian/radical theory 
This theory argues that radical changes in the socio-economic system is essential for 
economic growth. Marxian economists and other radical theorists highlight the possibility 
that economic growth alone may be insufficient to lift poor people out of (relative) poverty, 
because those who belong to certain classes may not reap any of the benefits of overall 
income growth. Similarly, by emphasising the concept of class, it provides a shift in 
perspective, focusing on group (rather than individual) characteristics, with individuals’ 
status considered dependent on the socio-economic environment in which they live. 
Nevertheless, adequacy of income remains a key factor. Within a capitalist system, 
alleviation of poverty may require minimum wage laws, action to eliminate dual labour 
markets, and anti discrimination laws.  
 
 
*METHODOLOGY 
 
This study attempt to pinpoint adequate and sustainable palliatives for cushioning the 
economic hardship of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria.  The study adopted qualitative 
methodology of research. Secondary data was mainly employed in data collection. The 
content analysis method was used to analysis the secondary data obtained from books, 
academic journals and internet sources. 
 
 
The critical/radical approach, social exclusion, social capital approach and the Neoliberal 
school were also employed as the study's theoretical framework. This study gathered that 
among others, the palliative measures which was meant to cushion the effect of subsidy 
removal suffers adequate social inclusiveness, and long-term positive effect on the people.  
 
*ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDING: 
 
The findings revealed that majority of Nigerians were uncomfortable with the present 
administration’s plan to distribute palliatives to citizens since many did not get the palliatives 
in the form of food items such as; rice, yam, indomie, garri, beans and red oil during Covid 
19 pandemic. Thes palliatives were hijacked by politicians which latter led to civil unrest and 
subsequent‘Endsars’ protest. Similar issues may be faced with fuel subsidy palliatives.  
 

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IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                          Gbenemene Kpae*  Farouk Salami Adinoyi 

 
https://ijojournals.com/                                                      Volume 07 || Issue 04 || April, 2024 || 

EXAMINING THE SUITABLE PALLIATIVES IN CUSHIONING THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA 

 

 

The findings also indicate that the sending of money to citizens account by the past 
administration in the form of market monies and other social welfare programmes where cash 
were dished out to people were considered to be lack of social inclusion as most villages, 
communities and towns were not beneficiaries. This study also recorded that palliatives in 
form of agricultural loans and provision of seedlings and fertilizers were politicized. The 
operational process of distributing these palliatives to fàrmers in the rural communities failed. 
However, robust operational process free of politics, nepotism and corruption will succeed.  
 
This study also noted that the people have lost faith in government's palliatives in the past. 
The populace sees past palliatives distribution as a reward for political party loyalists and 
lack itss genuine welfare.  
 
The study found that distribution of palliatives did not include other stakeholders such as  
 community heads and leaders, Paramount chiefs, rural/community associations and farmers’ 
association. This will help in checking the likelihood of politicising palliatives distribution in 
the country.  
 
The study also found that since previous palliatives lacked accountability and transparency, 
the same fate is most likely going to face the current fuel subsidy removal palliatives. 
 
 
 
*RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
1.This study recommends that there should be accountability and transparency in palliatives 
distribution of fuel subsidy, as this will reduce allegations of cooking of figures of 
beneficiaries and misappropriation of funds.  
 
2. The study recommends the inclusion of other stakeholders outside of party loyalists in the 
palliative committee. These stakeholders should include community leaders, opposition party 
members, civil society groups, academia etc. 
 
3. The study recommends 100% increase in wages and salaries of government’s employees as 
part of long-term fuel subsidy palliative. 
 
4. It also recommends the fulfillment of university academic staffs demands by government 
as university education remain an important prerequisite of literacy on long term fuel subsidy 
palliative. 
 
5.This study recommends that food palliatives should not be hoarded for  
more than 14days from the day it reaches the warehouse to prevent public looting and unrest.  
 
6.Finally, it recommends that fuel subsidy removal regime should meticulously study Covid- 
19 regime and work on the grey areas in their operational distribution of palliatives in 
enhancing social inclusiveness and cushioning the economic hardship of the populace.  

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IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                          Gbenemene Kpae*  Farouk Salami Adinoyi 

 
https://ijojournals.com/                                                      Volume 07 || Issue 04 || April, 2024 || 

EXAMINING THE SUITABLE PALLIATIVES IN CUSHIONING THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA 

 

 

 
 
 
.  
*CONCLUSION 
The desirability of subsidy removal regime should be long term palliatives. Ajaokuta Steel 
company neglect has cost the nation a whopping N589.41 billion in iron and steel imports in 
every eighteen months. This Nigerian Steel company is capable of creating thousands of 
sustainable jobs to Nigerian youths. Nigerian refineries (Dangote refinery, Warri, Porthacourt 
and Kaduna refinery among others) should see its full operational potential as long-term 
palliative from the fuel subsidy removal regime.  
 
 
 
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https://businessday.ng/lead-story/article/controversial-palliatives- tear-nigerians
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IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                          Gbenemene Kpae*  Farouk Salami Adinoyi 

 
https://ijojournals.com/                                                      Volume 07 || Issue 04 || April, 2024 || 

EXAMINING THE SUITABLE PALLIATIVES IN CUSHIONING THE REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY IN NIGERIA 

 

 

 

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http://www.punchng.com/

