Atiku Accuses Tinubu Govt of Misusing Fuel Subsidy Savings for Education
On September 13, 2026, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing to invest the proceeds from fuel subsidy removal in education. He said Nigerians have endured higher transport fares, food prices, energy costs and school fees since the subsidy was lifted, yet public universities remain underfunded as the Academic Staff Union of Universities threatens a fresh nationwide strike over unpaid entitlements and unresolved agreements.
Atiku stated that the government had promised to channel subsidy savings into education, healthcare, infrastructure and social welfare, but those promises have not been fulfilled. He pointed out that lecturers are still demanding unpaid salaries and the implementation of previous accords, while university facilities such as classrooms, laboratories and hostels remain inadequate. He also criticised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, arguing that offering loans after policies have made education more expensive does not solve the sector’s challenges.
He challenged the Tinubu administration to account for the money realised from subsidy removal and warned that continued neglect risks prolonged academic disruptions. With ASUU’s strike threat looming, students and families may face further delays and costs, prompting questions about alternative education funding and accountability for the subsidy reform.