Nigerian singer Cynthia Morgan, now known as Madrina, has voiced her concerns about the ongoing hardships faced by Nigerians following the removal of the fuel subsidy. While she initially supported President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the subsidy, she has expressed that the current economic strain resulting from this policy has become unbearable for many citizens.
In a heartfelt video shared on her TikTok page, Madrina highlighted the financial burden of the subsidy removal, pointing out that the country had been spending over $8 billion annually on the subsidy, which she feels was unsustainable. She compared this figure to Nigeria’s total annual revenue of around $20 billion, stressing the imbalance and inefficiency of such spending.
Madrina acknowledged that although the subsidy on petrol was a significant issue, the country lacks the necessary infrastructure and systems to handle the immediate fallout from its removal. The removal has led to inflation, increased petrol prices, and a soaring exchange rate, all of which are affecting the cost of living and people’s purchasing power. She also noted that crime rates are rising as a consequence of widespread economic hardship.
Despite her frustrations, Madrina encouraged her followers to refrain from protests or angry outbursts. Instead, she suggested a more diplomatic approach—begging the government to reconsider its stance on subsidy removal. She proposed that the government could at least reinstate 50 percent of the subsidy to alleviate the suffering of the people.
Madrina’s plea underscores the delicate balance between long-term economic reforms and immediate relief for citizens grappling with the consequences of those changes.