Nigerians have been struggling economically since the removal of the fuel subsidy, which increased petrol prices from N198 to N1,030.
Nigerian First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has defended her husband, President Bola Tinubu, saying he should not be blamed for the country's current economic challenges.
Nigerians have been struggling economically since the removal of the fuel subsidy, which increased petrol prices from N198 to N1,030.
The President announced the end of the fuel subsidy regime during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, citing it as a barrier to Nigeria's progress.
Speaking at the Palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, the First Lady noted that the Tinubu administration is still in its early stages.
She visited Ife to inaugurate a hostel and a 2.7-kilometre road donated to Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ University (OAU), Ile Ife, by the Ooni of Ife and named in her honour.
She said, “We are just 18 months into our administration; we are not the cause of the current situation; we are trying to fix it and secure the future. We know that subsidy has been removed, but with God on our side, in the next two years, Nigeria will be greater than this.
“Those who attempted removing subsidy before could not see it through. But with your prayers in the next two years, we will build a nation for the future.”
The First Lady further stated that her husband is not greedy, expressing gratitude for his position as Nigeria’s leader.
“We give glory to God for our status, myself and my husband, we are not greedy but we thank God for what God has done for us.
“It is not common for rich people to get to this seat but I am grateful to God; we cannot disappoint Nigeria, and with the help of God, we are getting to the promised land in no distant time,” she said.
Oluremi Tinubu, who graduated from OAU 41 years ago, donated N1 billion to the university for its development. The Ooni of Ife praised her for being a role model for young people since her time as First Lady of Lagos State, stating, “I have been a keen admirer of Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a young man eking out a living in Lagos.”