Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, claiming it was made without proper consultation and a clear understanding of government processes.

In an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, Dalung described the policy as a “poverty of ideas and knowledge,” arguing that the administration overlooked alternative solutions. He said the real issue was not the subsidy itself but how it had been managed over the years.

Dalung accused the government of failing to hold accountable those responsible for alleged subsidy fraud, suggesting that the decision to remove the subsidy instead was tantamount to endorsing corruption.

“Granted, the policy has been implemented, but the manner in which it was done showed that the President did not fully understand the workings of government and the complexities of Nigeria,” he said. Dalung stressed that, at the time of the announcement, the government was not fully constituted, with only the President and Vice President sworn in, leaving out critical consultations with ministers, advisers, and policy makers.

He concluded that a decision of this magnitude should involve a fully constituted government, emphasizing the need for institutional input to ensure policies reflect Nigeria’s complex realities.