Tinubu orders review of cash transfer policy following criticism of petrol subsidy removal palliative

President Bola Tinubu has directed the review of the cash transfer policy after facing intense criticism for the administration’s plan to provide N8,000 monthly to 12 million vulnerable individuals as a palliative measure against the adverse effects of petrol subsidy removal.

The announcement was made by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy.

Alake stated, “You will agree with me that it has become part of the culture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to dialogue with Nigerians who voted him into office constantly. The President covenanted with Nigerians that their welfare and security will be topmost in the Renewed Hope Agenda of his government.”

He further explained that the government will introduce a comprehensive package of palliatives for Nigerians. As part of this initiative, the president has approved the immediate release of fertilizers and grains to approximately 50 million farmers and households across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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Alake emphasized, “While it should be noted that the cash program is not the only item in the whole gamut of relief package of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a listening leader who has vowed to always put Nigerians at the heart of his policy and program, the President has directed as follows:

• “That the N8,000 conditional cash transfer program envisaged to bring succor to most vulnerable households be reviewed immediately. This is in deference to the views expressed by Nigerians against it.
• That the whole gamut of the palliative package of the government is unveiled to Nigerians.
• Immediate release of fertilizers and grains to approximately 50 million farmers and households respectively in all the 36 states and the FCT.”

Alake assured Nigerians that the approved N500 billion, intended to alleviate the pain caused by the end of the subsidy regime, will be judiciously utilized. He emphasized that the relief beneficiaries will be Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, religious, or political affiliation.

Alake concluded, “President Bola Tinubu has always promised to prioritize the well-being of Nigerians, and he is irrevocably committed to the vow. A number of decisions taken so far by this Administration have buttressed this stance. You will recall that the President took a similar decision after listening to complaints from the business community/stakeholders about burdensome taxes, particularly the multiplicity of taxes they are made to experience.”

He further assured, “I wish to assure Nigerians that President Tinubu will continue to be a listening leader whose ears will not be dull to the views expressed by the citizenry. The President believes government exists to cater to the interest of the people, and he has demonstrated this so clearly.”