Get Guardian on GoogleNigerian writer and development economist, Seun Awogbenle, is to deliver a public lecture on the fuel subsidy debate at the National Policy Discourse of the Institute for Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin.
The discourse, themed ‘Interrogating the political-economic substance of the debate on fuel subsidy removal versus restoration: Which should interest Nigerians?’, will be held virtually on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, will serve as the chief host, while the discourse is expected to bring together staff, doctoral and master’s students of the institute, undergraduates of the university, and members of the public.
The engagement will examine the economic and political implications of fuel subsidy removal and the arguments for its restoration, amid continuing national debate over the policy and its impact on Nigerians.
According to the convener and Director of the Institute, Dr Adebola Bakare, Awogbenle was selected in recognition of his background in development economics and expertise in policy design and analysis, as well as his decade-long public commentary on local and international platforms, including the BBC.
Bakare said the National Policy Discourse was established as a platform for policy conversations on issues with significant implications for Nigerians.
“The National Policy Discourse of the Institute of Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin, has been established as a platform for policy conversation on issues that impact Nigerians the most. With some interventions on the fuel subsidy debate, Awogbenle’s background, knowledge and demonstrated expertise on the subject would enrich the discourse and leave participants with greater clarity,” he said.
Speaking ahead of the lecture, Awogbenle described fuel subsidy reform as one of Nigeria’s most consequential policy decisions since the 1970s, noting that the debate surrounding its implementation had continued to raise questions about the relationship between economic reforms and the hardship experienced by citizens.
“The fuel subsidy reform is one of Nigeria’s most consequential policies since the ’70s. The debate around the reform and its fallout has continued to open up wider conversations on the reform and pain nexus and the precarious nature of public policy,” he said.
He noted that more than three years after the reforms, Nigeria was yet to build a national consensus on the policy, arguing that sustained public engagement was necessary to deepen understanding of the reforms and their broader economic implications.
“More than three years into the reforms, the country is yet to build consensus around the issue, and with only days left before the election, conversations like National Policy Discourse 2.0 could help to provide a better understanding of the policy and get more people behind the broader reforms, which I believe are necessary for the jobs, direct investments, businesses, and growth we want to see in the economy,” he said.
Awogbenle added that the discourse would also contribute to research and the body of knowledge on fuel subsidy reform and public policy.
The session will be chaired by Dr Ruth Abiola Adimula of the university’s Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, while Bakare will serve as convener.
