Nigeria’s Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele confirmed on Friday that the administration of [President Bola Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu) will not reinstate the subsidy on petroleum products, even as a 30‑day discount on fuel was rolled out at all [Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_National_Petroleum_Corporation) filling stations nationwide.
**What prompted the clarification?**
The clarification came after the government announced a temporary price reduction on Thursday, following the removal of the fuel subsidy that was declared at Tinubu’s inauguration in Abuja in 2023. The subsidy removal had previously caused a rise in pump prices across the country.
**Who opposed the discount scheme?**
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, accused the president of copying his earlier proposal to eliminate the fuel subsidy. He described the 30‑day discount as a desperate, short‑term measure that would not offset the heavy financial burden imposed by high fuel costs.
**What did the Finance Minister say?**
In an interview on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, Oyedele stated, “This government is not bringing back the subsidy of fuel products, we need to be clear.” He emphasized that the discount is a temporary relief, not a reversal of the subsidy policy.
**When will the discount end?**
The discount is set to run for 30 days from the Thursday announcement, after which fuel prices are expected to revert to the levels dictated by the market and the government’s subsidy‑free policy.
**Why is the subsidy issue significant?**
The removal of the subsidy has been a contentious issue, affecting transport costs, inflation, and public sentiment. The temporary discount aims to ease immediate pressure on consumers while the government maintains its long‑term stance against reinstating the subsidy.