“Fuel Should Be Cheaper in Nigeria”: Prof. Chris Nwakobia Challenges Subsidy Removal Policy and Compares Nigeria to the U.S.
Public affairs commentator and political analyst Prof. Chris Nwakobia has renewed the debate over fuel pricing in Nigeria, arguing that petrol should not be more expensive in an oil-producing nation than in countries with stronger energy infrastructure such as the United States.
Speaking during a recent discussion, Nwakobia maintained that if he were President of Nigeria, he would not have removed fuel subsidy in the manner it was implemented. According to him, even advanced economies continue to provide various forms of energy support and incentives to cushion the impact of fuel costs on citizens and businesses.
Responding to a question from media personality Seun regarding the removal of fuel subsidy, Nwakobia argued that many presidential candidates failed Nigerians by embracing subsidy removal without first addressing the structural problems within the petroleum sector.
He noted that most of the major candidates who contested the presidency supported subsidy removal, while only activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, publicly maintained that he would not remove fuel subsidy if elected President.
The discussion also addressed claims that petrol sells for as low as $2.50 per gallon in the United States. Nwakobia and other commentators pointed out that such figures do not accurately reflect the national average because fuel prices vary significantly across America due to differences in state taxes, transportation costs, environmental regulations, and regional supply conditions.
Recent fuel price examples from various U.S. states include:
• Texas – approximately $3.40 per gallon
• Ohio – approximately $3.82 per gallon
• Washington State – approximately $5.38 per gallon
• California – approximately $5.55 per gallon
Commentator Samson Akerele argued that even at approximately $3.40 per gallon in Texas, petrol remains relatively affordable compared to Nigeria when purchasing power and economic realities are taken into account.
Supporters of Nwakobia’s position further point to the vast difference in energy production between the two countries. The United States, with a population of about 350 million people, produces and markets roughly 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products daily. Nigeria, with a population estimated at over 230 million people, produces approximately 1.7 million barrels of crude oil per day.
A standard U.S. gallon contains about 3.785 litres of fuel. According to advocates of subsidy retention, the higher production-to-population ratio in America naturally contributes to lower domestic fuel costs and greater energy security. They argue that countries producing more crude oil relative to their population often enjoy stronger leverage in maintaining stable fuel prices.
Nwakobia also emphasized that Nigeria possesses one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world and should be leveraging this advantage more effectively. He argued that Nigeria remains fundamentally a gas nation and that until the country develops its gas infrastructure, expands domestic utilization, and reduces dependence on imported refined products, economic challenges linked to energy costs will persist.
Many Nigerians share similar concerns. Some argue that before removing subsidy, government should have first dismantled the entrenched interests often referred to as the “oil cabal,” prosecuted individuals responsible for corruption within the sector, and implemented gradual reforms to protect citizens from sudden economic shocks.
According to this school of thought, subsidy reform should have been accompanied by stronger food production, improved transportation systems, increased local refining capacity, and targeted support for vulnerable households. They believe that removing subsidy without adequate economic cushioning placed an enormous burden on ordinary Nigerians already grappling with inflation and rising living costs.
Others point to countries such as , where petrol and natural gas remain relatively affordable despite fluctuations in global energy markets. They argue that the key difference lies in domestic refining capacity, infrastructure development, and government policies designed to maximize benefits for local consumers.
For many critics of the current system, the solution is clear: eliminate corruption, secure Nigeria’s borders against fuel smuggling, strengthen local refining, invest heavily in gas infrastructure, and ensure that the nation’s vast energy resources translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
The debate ultimately raises a fundamental question: How can a country blessed with abundant oil and gas resources continue to struggle with high energy costs? For Nwakobia and those who share his views, the answer lies not in removing support for citizens but in fixing the structural weaknesses that have prevented Nigeria’s natural wealth from delivering broad-based economic prosperity.
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