According to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, it remains unclear whether the N5 billion allocated to states is intended as a loan or a palliative measure for the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
Ajaero expressed his view that this amount is insufficient to make a significant impact on the public. During a TV program, he highlighted that the N5 billion would only amount to around N1,500 per person if evenly distributed.
This, he argued, is insufficient considering the National Bureau of Statistics’ data indicating that over 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. Ajaero raised concerns about the actual impact of such an amount, especially considering recent increases in petroleum product prices that have pushed many individuals deeper into poverty. Regardless of whether the funds are a loan or a palliative, Ajaero called for a detailed analysis of how the money would affect the current situation in Nigeria.
On another note, Governor Babagana Zulum mentioned after a National Economic Council meeting that state governors plan to use part of the Federal Government funds to purchase 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize, and fertilizers. He pointed out that 52% of the funds were provided to state governments as grants.