Video: Prominent Female Musician Laments After Supporting Tinubu’s Subsidy Removal

Cynthia Morgan has regretted supporting Tinubu’s subsidy removal and has pleaded with the government as economic hardship worsens.

Nigerian singer Cynthia Morgan has urged citizens to appeal to the government to take action in reducing the economic difficulties currently affecting the country.

The artiste admitted that she initially supported the decision by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to remove the fuel subsidy. However, she expressed deep frustration over the hardships that have followed, saying the situation has become unbearable.

Morgan suggested that Nigerians may not have many options left other than pleading with the government. She proposed what she called a “begging challenge” to urge authorities to intervene.

In a video posted on her TikTok page, she shared her thoughts, saying, “Are you guys feeling what I am feeling? I’m not even going to lie, I’m feeling it o! And it’s quite unfortunate that we might not be able to do much other than plead with the government. Because spending over $8 billion on subsidy doesn’t make any sense.”

She further explained her concerns about Nigeria’s finances, stating, “From my findings, the total annual revenue for Nigeria in 2023/2024 was around 20-something billion dollars. So imagine spending $7 billion on subsidized petroleum products. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Morgan acknowledged that she was among those who initially backed the subsidy removal, saying, “I was one of the persons who applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the removal of the fuel subsidy because you know what it is. But currently, I don’t think we have what it takes to live totally off subsidy removal on petroleum products.”

She argued that the country lacks the necessary structures to cope without the subsidy, which has led to inflation. “We don’t have the structures or anything to be able to sustain that. And that is why there’s inflation. The price of petrol controls 90 percent of every other commodity in the market. Also, the exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar has increased because what we import is higher than what we export. Right now, the GDP per capita is $860,” she explained.

Morgan believes that protesting or blaming those in government may not be helpful. Instead, she emphasized, “We are going to be begging [the government]. I don’t think we have the right to protest or insult anyone in government.”

She reflected on the history of fuel subsidies in Nigeria, attributing their introduction to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. “The introduction of the subsidy on petrol started with former President [Olusegun] Obasanjo, which for me was lackadaisical because, as a president, you’re supposed to handle things head-on and not try to… I can’t remember the word right now,” she said.

Morgan noted that President Tinubu is attempting to take a direct approach in handling the issue. “So, that’s what President Tinubu is trying to do. He is trying to approach it the way it is. Because the money that we spent on subsidized PMS is a lot—enough to do many things. If we are able to invest it in other areas of the country, we will be a better nation. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, but we are not ready. We can’t do it. 100 percent subsidy removal will not work. People are hungry. Crime rates are increasing.”

As a solution, she called for a reconsideration of the policy. “But please, let’s not rant. Let us do a begging challenge. Let’s beg the government to help us, that they shouldn’t be angry. Maybe we have been irresponsible. Let the government roll back at least 50 percent of the subsidy removal. That’s my stance.”

Her comments have sparked conversations among Nigerians, with many debating the best way forward amid rising economic hardship.

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