Subsidy is not coming back — Tinubu insists

By Adegboyega Adeleye President Bola Tinubu has ruled out restoring the fuel subsidy, saying his administration will instead expand support for farmers and invest in education, as he campaigned for re-election in Jigawa State. Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally at Dutse Township Stadium, as part of the party’s nationwide campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.

Addressing the subsidy debate, Tinubu said claims that fuel subsidy returns would return were false, arguing that public resources should be directed towards education and agriculture. “To those who say subsidy is coming back, it’s a lie. Don’t let them lie to you again. It’s not going to come back. We cannot spend the future of our children today and feel that they will grow tomorrow.

No, they have to be in school. We have to invest in their education. We have to invest in agriculture,” he said. Tinubu said his administration would subsidise farming and reward small-scale farmers. He promised interest-free loans for farmers and said mechanised farming service centres would be established in six locations. “We will subsidise farming.

We will reward small-scale farmers. Interest-free loans for farmers are coming. Prosperity is coming. Food security will happen. I hope you hear me, Jigawa. You hear me, Jigawa. There will be interest-free loans for small-scale farmers. We are going to install a mechanised farming service centre in six geographical locations: mechanised farming,” he said.

He also said universities would play a greater role in agricultural research and development. “Our university will be more involved in research and development in agriculture than ever before,” Tinubu said. The president also addressed insecurity, saying his administration had strengthened the police and armed forces and was paying better salaries.

“We will conquer insecurity. We’ve been through many wars; we will defeat our enemies, enemies of unity, enemies of stability, and enemies of hope. To assure you that we are doing that, we’ve strengthened the police, we’ve strengthened the armed forces, and we are paying better salaries today,” he added.