President Tinubu told to drop proposed 5% fuel surcharge

The Obidient Movement has warned the Federal Government not to introduce a proposed five per cent surcharge on fuel, saying the move will make life harder for Nigerians already struggling with the high cost of living.

The warning came after Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, revealed that the surcharge is part of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform plans.

The government says the money will be used to improve road infrastructure and reduce logistics costs.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the group described the idea as a “policy with good intentions but destined to cause suffering.”

Tanko noted that past governments had also introduced new levies, promising they would fix roads and improve infrastructure, but little had been achieved.

“For decades, Nigerians have been told that new levies would solve problems, yet our roads remain bad, transport costs are high, and the poor are worse off. Instead, the money disappears into corruption,” the statement said.
He added that fuel is a necessity in Nigeria, not a luxury, and warned that the surcharge would hit the poor hardest.

The group suggested that instead of taxing fuel, the government should expand the tax net, place higher taxes on luxury goods, and cut wasteful spending.

They also demanded transparent systems to ensure accountability and anti-corruption measures before introducing any new fuel taxes.

“We want good roads and a strong economy, but these should not be achieved by making life harder for poor Nigerians,” the statement read.

Fuel is a sensitive issue in Nigeria. Despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, the country imports most of its refined fuel.

President Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy in May 2023, which caused sharp increases in fuel prices, transport fares, and food costs, worsening inflation. Critics say another fuel-related tax would deepen the cost-of-living crisis, though the government argues that reforms are necessary to reduce borrowing and stabilize the economy.

Since taking office, Tinubu has pushed several tough reforms, including scrapping fuel subsidies, unifying the exchange rate, and harmonising taxes.

While the government says these are needed to fix Nigeria’s economy, many citizens remain frustrated by rising inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.