Afrobeat musician Seun Anikulapo-Kuti has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy, accusing him of prioritizing personal gain over the well-being of Nigerians.
Kuti dismissed Tinubu’s claim that the removal of the subsidy was a “tough decision” made for the country’s benefit, instead describing it as a “wicked decision” that worsens the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
He also condemned the government’s purchase of a $150 million jet for the President, arguing that the funds could have been better used to address critical issues such as the country’s underfunded education system. According to Kuti, the money spent on the jet could have been enough to build and maintain 10 primary schools for 20 years.
During an Instagram Live session, Kuti asked, “Who contributed the $150 million for Tinubu’s jet? Who did they ask for donations? That amount could fund the construction and operation of 10 primary schools for at least 20 years. Those schools could educate several generations of African children.”
Kuti further criticized Tinubu for claiming that the fuel subsidy removal was out of his hands, reminding Nigerians that as both the President and Minister of Petroleum, Tinubu is directly responsible for the decision.
He argued that the decision was not “tough” as the government claimed, but a calculated move that harms the people. “The President can’t say the fuel issue is out of his control. As both President and Minister of Petroleum, it is in his hands. They claim these are tough decisions, but in reality, this was a harmful choice. Removing the subsidy and floating the currency was not a tough decision—it was a wicked one,” Kuti concluded.
