Nigerian singer Cynthia Morgan, now known as Madrina, has called on President Bola Tinubu to implement urgent measures to alleviate the severe economic hardship in the country.
In a video message shared on her TikTok page, Madrina acknowledged supporting the removal of the petrol subsidy but expressed concerns over its impact on Nigerians.
“Are you feeling what I’m feeling? I’m not going to lie; I’m feeling it. It is unfortunate that we might not be able to do much other than plead with the government because spending over $8 billion on subsidy doesn’t make sense,” she said.
Citing economic data, she noted that Nigeria’s total annual revenue for 2023/2024 stood at approximately $20 billion, questioning the rationale behind allocating $7 billion to subsidized petroleum products.
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“I was among those who applauded President Tinubu for removing the fuel subsidy, but I don’t think we have what it takes to survive without it. We lack the necessary structures to sustain full subsidy removal, which is why inflation has skyrocketed,” she stated.
Madrina highlighted the rising cost of living, linking it to the surge in petrol prices and the naira’s depreciation. She pointed out that Nigeria’s GDP per capita currently stands at $860, warning that the situation is pushing more people into poverty and increasing crime rates.
Reflecting on the history of fuel subsidies, she said, “The introduction of the subsidy started with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which, for me, was lackadaisical. As a president, you are supposed to address issues head-on. President Tinubu is trying to tackle it, but we are not ready. Full subsidy removal will not work because people are hungry.”
Calling for a policy review, Madrina urged the government to consider reinstating at least 50 percent of the subsidy to ease economic pressure. “Let’s not just rant; let’s plead with the government. Maybe we have been irresponsible, but they should not abandon us,” she said.
