Nigeria, May 18 -- Speaking on the podcast "Conversations with Prof. Jideofor Adibe," the federal lawmaker said expectations were high that the removal of subsidy would improve the economy and create room for development, but claimed that the policy has instead deepened economic pain for ordinary citizens.

According to him, the decision to remove fuel subsidy on the first day of President Tinubu's administration significantly increased the cost of living, with food prices, transportation and other essential services becoming unaffordable for millions of Nigerians.

The lawmaker questioned what the country has gained from the policy despite larger budgetary allocations since the subsidy removal.

He argued that if the federal government ...