Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said United States President Donald Trump’s approach to supporting domestic energy production aligns with his proposal to restore a form of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.
Atiku made the claim in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, as the former vice president continues to campaign for his proposed production-based subsidy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to Atiku, his proposal would focus on supporting locally refined petroleum products rather than returning to the previous system of subsidising imported fuel. He argued that strengthening domestic production could increase supply, reduce pump prices and provide relief for Nigerians.
“This is why my Production Subsidy is about putting money back into people’s pockets. Support what we produce and refine here, increase supply, monitor the price and make sure Nigerians feel the benefit at the pump,” Atiku said.
He also referenced the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN), which has advocated greater support for domestic refining. Atiku said, “CORAN is saying support domestic production. America understands the importance of supporting strategic energy production.”
However, the reported statement does not establish that Trump personally endorsed Atiku’s Nigerian fuel-subsidy proposal. Rather, Atiku drew a comparison between his production-focused approach and US policies supporting strategic energy production.
The issue is significant because fuel subsidy has become a major economic and political debate ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election. President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy in 2023, while Atiku has argued that targeted production support could ease the cost-of-living burden.
