By Peace Erewunmi

Pastor and public affairs commentator Femi Emmanuel has defended the Federal Government’s decision to remove fuel subsidy and allow the Naira to adjust, describing the measures as difficult but necessary steps to prevent a deeper economic crisis.

Speaking during an interview on the Morayo Afolabi-Brown Podcast on Monday, July 27, 2026, Emmanuel argued that Nigeria’s current economic challenges did not begin with the present administration, but were the result of years of fiscal decisions and accumulated financial pressures.

According to him, maintaining fuel subsidy for many years placed a heavy burden on government finances and limited resources available for development. He said the removal of the subsidy, although painful for many Nigerians, was aimed at creating a more sustainable economic system.

Emmanuel also supported the foreign exchange reforms that allowed the Naira to adjust, stating that previous exchange rate policies contributed to economic distortions and increased pressure on the nation’s financial system.

He urged Nigerians to look beyond the immediate hardship and consider the long-term benefits of the reforms, while calling on the government to ensure that the sacrifices made by citizens translate into improved infrastructure, better services and economic growth.

However, his comments have generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians agreeing that reforms were necessary, while others criticised the government for the impact of rising living costs and questioned whether enough measures had been taken to reduce waste and improve accountability in governance.