Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu and state governors to take urgent steps to ease the rising cost of living and reduce the financial pressure on Nigerian households.
Atiku made the call amid continuing concerns over the prices of food, fuel, transportation and other essential goods and services. He argued that government policies should ultimately translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of citizens.
In recent statements, the former vice president has repeatedly raised concerns about the purchasing power of Nigerian workers, particularly as rising fuel and transportation costs continue to affect household and business expenses.
He has also urged the Federal Government to consider measures that would reduce the cost of essential goods and energy while supporting domestic production. According to Atiku, reducing production and transportation costs could help ease pressure on consumers.
Atiku further called for stronger attention to workers’ wages, arguing that the current minimum wage of N70,000 has been affected by increases in the prices of basic necessities. He has urged the government to review workers’ earnings in response to prevailing economic conditions.
The former vice president has proposed a targeted production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, saying such an approach could support local refining while helping to reduce costs for consumers.
He has maintained that economic reforms should be measured by their effect on ordinary Nigerians, including families, workers, young people and small businesses.
The call comes as affordability and household purchasing power remain prominent issues in Nigeria’s economic debate, with different political actors offering varying approaches to addressing the pressures facing citizens.
Tripod Times reports that the Federal Government has previously defended its economic reforms and the N70,000 minimum wage agreed with organised labour, while maintaining that the reforms are intended to strengthen the economy over time.
As discussions over the cost of living continue, Atiku is urging both the Federal Government and state governments to prioritise measures that can provide relief to Nigerians and make essential goods and services more affordable.
