By Peace Erewunmi

The debate over whether Nigeria should restore fuel subsidy has once again taken centre stage as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

Former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Ayo Arise, has opposed calls for Nigeria to return to the former fuel subsidy regime, describing such a proposal as economically retrogressive.

His argument raises an important question: Should Nigeria return to a system that was widely criticised for years because of its enormous financial burden, corruption and lack of transparency?

Perhaps not.

However, there is another equally important question that must be asked: If subsidy removal was necessary to save Nigeria’s economy, where are the benefits Nigerians were promised?

This is where the real conversation should begin.

The removal of fuel subsidy was presented as a difficult but necessary economic decision. The argument was that the billions of naira previously spent subsidising petrol could be redirected towards more important sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and social protection.

In theory, this makes sense.

But economic reforms cannot be judged only by figures, policy papers and government announcements.

They must also be judged by the experiences of ordinary citizens.

For many Nigerians, the removal of fuel subsidy was followed by an increase in transportation costs, higher food prices and an overall increase in the cost of living.

This is why calls for the return of subsidy continue to resonate with some citizens.

People are not necessarily asking for a return to the past simply because they do not understand economics.

Many Nigerians are speaking from their daily experiences.

They are asking a simple question:

If the country is saving money from subsidy removal, why is life still becoming more difficult for many citizens?

This does not automatically mean that returning to the old subsidy regime is the best solution.

Nigeria must be careful about returning to a system that was widely associated with huge financial costs, leakages and opportunities for abuse.

But government must also understand that citizens will not support painful reforms indefinitely without seeing tangible improvements in their lives.

The money saved from subsidy removal must be visible.

Nigerians should be able to point to better roads, improved hospitals, stronger schools, effective transportation systems and social programmes that genuinely reach vulnerable citizens.

Economic reform must eventually translate into human improvement.

If government insists that going back to fuel subsidy would be a step backward, then moving forward must mean something meaningful to ordinary Nigerians.

It cannot simply mean higher fuel prices and repeated assurances that things will eventually get better.

It must mean jobs.

It must mean improved infrastructure.

It must mean stronger public services.

It must mean a reduction in the pressure on ordinary families.

And it must mean accountability for how the resources saved from subsidy removal are being used.

The debate should therefore not be reduced to two extremes: subsidy or no subsidy.

Nigeria needs a broader conversation about how to build an economy that is financially sustainable while also protecting citizens from unbearable economic hardship.

Senator Ayo Arise may be right that returning to the former subsidy regime would be economically retrogressive.

But those defending subsidy removal must also answer an important question:

What exactly are Nigerians moving forward to?

Because reform without visible improvement in the lives of citizens will eventually lose public trust.

Nigerians do not necessarily want to return to a broken system.

They simply want an economy that works.

And if the sacrifices demanded by economic reforms are to continue, then the benefits of those sacrifices must become visible—not just in government reports, but in the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Going backward may not be the answer. But moving forward must come with something Nigerians can actually see and feel.