PETROL SUBSIDY REMOVAL AND MIGRATION IN NIGERIA: A PATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

  • Unique Paper ID: 194916
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 10
  • PageNo: 7161-7168
  • Abstract:
  • This study examines the relationship between the removal of the petrol subsidy and migration in Nigeria. For over four decades, the issue of petrol subsidy has been at the center of public debate, with every government since the 1970s grappling with it. The subsidy has served a dual role, easing economic pressure on citizens while simultaneously straining government finances. The 2023 removal of the petrol subsidy represents a major shift toward a market-driven pricing structure, resulting in higher fuel costs and inflation that have significantly affected the cost of living. Although the policy was introduced to strengthen fiscal sustainability, it has also triggered social unrest, including protests over rising expenses. These economic challenges are shaping both internal and international migration patterns as Nigerians pursue better opportunities amid inflation and unemployment. The situation is further compounded by insecurity across various regions, particularly in the North. This study underscores how the removal of fuel subsidies intensifies existing migration pressures. It argues that effective policy responses are essential not only to cushion the adverse effects of subsidy removal but also to tackle the underlying drivers of migration, thereby safeguarding Nigeria’s economic resilience.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{194916,
        author = {Abel Ehizojie Oigbochie and Saji George},
        title = {PETROL SUBSIDY REMOVAL AND MIGRATION IN NIGERIA: A PATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {10},
        pages = {7161-7168},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=194916},
        abstract = {This study examines the relationship between the removal of the petrol subsidy and migration in Nigeria. For over four decades, the issue of petrol subsidy has been at the center of public debate, with every government since the 1970s grappling with it. The subsidy has served a dual role, easing economic pressure on citizens while simultaneously straining government finances. The 2023 removal of the petrol subsidy represents a major shift toward a market-driven pricing structure, resulting in higher fuel costs and inflation that have significantly affected the cost of living. Although the policy was introduced to strengthen fiscal sustainability, it has also triggered social unrest, including protests over rising expenses. These economic challenges are shaping both internal and international migration patterns as Nigerians pursue better opportunities amid inflation and unemployment. The situation is further compounded by insecurity across various regions, particularly in the North. This study underscores how the removal of fuel subsidies intensifies existing migration pressures. It argues that effective policy responses are essential not only to cushion the adverse effects of subsidy removal but also to tackle the underlying drivers of migration, thereby safeguarding Nigeria’s economic resilience.},
        keywords = {Subsidy, Migration, Migration crisis, Social Unrest},
        month = {March},
        }

Cite This Article

Oigbochie, A. E., & George, S. (2026). PETROL SUBSIDY REMOVAL AND MIGRATION IN NIGERIA: A PATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(10), 7161–7168.

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