Nigerian singer Cynthia Morgan, also known as Madrina, has expressed deep concern over the escalating hardship in the country following the removal of the fuel subsidy. In a video message shared on her TikTok page, she acknowledged initially supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's decision to eliminate the subsidy but now finds the resulting economic strain intolerable.
Morgan highlighted that while the subsidy removal aimed to reallocate funds for national development, the lack of adequate structures to support this transition has led to severe inflation and increased hardship for Nigerians. She emphasized that the rising cost of petrol has a cascading effect on the prices of other commodities, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by citizens.
Addressing the broader economic implications, Morgan pointed out that the nation's high import-to-export ratio has negatively impacted the Naira's exchange rate against the dollar. She noted that the current GDP per capita stands at $860, underscoring the financial struggles of the populace.
In her heartfelt appeal, Morgan urged the government to consider reinstating at least 50% of the fuel subsidy to alleviate the prevailing economic difficulties. She called for collective responsibility, suggesting that citizens engage in a "begging challenge" to implore the government for relief measures, acknowledging potential past irresponsibilities and seeking governmental intervention to ease the nation's economic burden.