‘You Cannot Ask Moses To Go Back To Egypt,’ Tinubu Insists No Fuel Subsidy Return [VIDEO]

According to a report by Channel Television on Monday, October 19, 2026, President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s decision to remove petrol subsidy, insisting that Nigeria will not return to the policy despite persistent public concerns over rising fuel prices and the cost of living.

Tinubu used a biblical and Quranic reference to explain why he believes the country must continue with its economic reforms rather than reverse course.

“I remember my scripture studies, both in the Bible and in the Holy Quran. When Moses and Musa left Egypt, they faced a challenge, and the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt,” the president said.

The remark reflects the administration’s position that reversing the subsidy removal would undermine the economic reforms introduced since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

The removal of petrol subsidy was one of the first major policy decisions announced by Tinubu during his inauguration. The move was intended to reduce the financial burden of subsidising fuel imports and free up government resources for other development priorities.

However, the decision triggered a sharp increase in petrol prices, transportation costs and the prices of essential goods, placing additional pressure on households and businesses across the country.

The government has repeatedly argued that maintaining the former subsidy arrangement was financially unsustainable and contributed to economic distortions, fuel smuggling and pressure on public finances.

Despite these arguments, calls for the policy to be reconsidered have continued, with opposition politicians, labour groups and other stakeholders demanding measures to cushion the impact of high fuel prices on Nigerians.

The debate over subsidy removal has intensified in recent weeks following renewed increases in petrol prices linked to volatility in the international energy market.

On October 8, 2026, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele reiterated that the Federal Government had no intention of restoring the former blanket petrol subsidy regime. He warned that bringing it back would place additional pressure on public finances.

The government subsequently announced temporary measures intended to provide relief to consumers without reversing the policy.

According to the Presidency, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) agreed to forgo its retail profit margin and sell petrol at cost at its filling stations for 30 days. The initiative was announced on October 8 and publicised the following day.

The intervention came amid mounting concerns over the effects of rising fuel prices on transportation, food costs and business operations. The government maintained that the temporary arrangement was designed to cushion consumers against international market pressures rather than reintroduce a nationwide subsidy.

On October 14, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise also described the intervention as a temporary response to the global energy crisis, rather than a reversal of the subsidy-removal policy.

Although the government has defended its economic reforms, the impact on ordinary Nigerians remains a major concern.

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