Femi Falana: “No Country Has Removed Subsidies Completely”

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has argued that no nation in the world has ever completely abolished subsidies.

Falana made this remark in a video shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of Channels TV on Sunday, September 14, 2025. He was responding to questions on whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy was the right move.

According to him, even developed nations like the United States, United Kingdom, and France still subsidize critical sectors such as electricity, agriculture, and essential services.

“There is no way you can remove subsidy. There is no country in the world that has abolished subsidies completely. Even leading western countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and France still subsidize electricity, agriculture, and many aspects of their people’s lives. As a matter of fact, it’s the IMF and World Bank that insisted government must remove all subsidies,” Falana said.

He further stressed that the removal has placed an immense burden on Nigerians, worsening the cost of living.

The legal luminary maintained that instead of bowing to pressure from international financial institutions, the government should prioritize policies that safeguard the welfare of its citizens.