Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deliberately kept the decision to remove fuel subsidy highly confidential before announcing it, in order to prevent last-minute persuasion or pressure from vested interests.

Shettima made the disclosure while speaking on the early days of the administration’s economic reforms, noting that the subsidy removal was one of the most sensitive and consequential policy decisions taken at the inception of the Tinubu government.

According to him, the secrecy around the plan was necessary to ensure that the policy was implemented without interference from individuals or groups who might have attempted to influence or derail the decision due to its far-reaching economic implications.

He explained that the subsidy regime had long become a burden on the nation’s finances, stressing that the bold move, though painful, was essential to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and redirect resources toward more productive sectors.

The Vice President further maintained that the administration’s economic reforms, including subsidy removal and related fiscal adjustments, were aimed at strengthening long-term national growth despite short-term hardship faced by citizens.

Tinubu’s administration removed fuel subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023, a decision that triggered immediate increases in fuel prices and inflationary pressure, but which government officials argue was necessary to prevent deeper fiscal crisis.

The revelation adds fresh insight into the internal decision-making process behind one of Nigeria’s most controversial economic reforms in recent years.