Mahdi Shehu slams subsidy removal as massive corruption, big scam

February 4, 2026

Public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu has accused the Federal Government of exploiting the removal of fuel subsidy to shield corruption instead of eliminating it.

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In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Shehu described the policy as the biggest scam and act of corruption in Nigeria’s history, drawing comparisons between subsidy payments made in previous years and recent expenditure figures released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

He stated that a total of ₦5.7 trillion was spent on fuel subsidy in 2021 and 2022 combined.

He, however, questioned NNPCL’s claim that it spent ₦17.5 trillion between January and December 2025 to secure oil pipelines.

“Subsidy removal did not curb corruption, it nurtured and protected it,” Mahdi Shehu wrote.

He further argued that despite the removal of subsidy, Nigeria has continued to borrow heavily.

“Even with the so-called subsidy removal, we still keep borrowing to stop borrowing,” he said.

Mahdi Shehu also alleged that a powerful group was benefiting at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.

“From all intents and purposes, we have a clique, cartel and cabal whose main aim is to pauperise 250 million people and eventually destroy Nigeria,” he claimed.

“Shame, Big shame in the primitive thieves with thievery constituting 100% of their pathology.”