Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to introduce measures aimed at reducing the cost of living and making essential goods and services more affordable if elected president in 2027.
Atiku made the pledge while criticising the economic impact of fuel prices, transportation costs and rising household expenses. He said his proposed policies would focus on increasing purchasing power and easing financial pressure on Nigerian families.
A major part of his proposal is a targeted production subsidy for petrol refined in Nigeria. Atiku has said the scheme would support domestic refineries and allow consumers to benefit from lower production costs, rather than subsidising imported petrol.
He has also pledged to review the national minimum wage, arguing that the current ₦70,000 wage floor has lost purchasing power because of higher fuel, food, transport, rent and energy costs. Atiku said his administration would begin work on raising workers’ wages from its first day in office if elected.
Atiku has linked high petrol prices to broader increases in the cost of living, arguing that transportation expenses affect the prices of food and other goods because of Nigeria’s reliance on road transport.
His proposals come amid continuing debate over the removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The policy, introduced in 2023, significantly changed petrol pricing, while the Federal Government has defended the reform as necessary to reduce the cost of maintaining fuel subsidies.
The Tinubu administration has also questioned Atiku’s proposed production subsidy. The State House said the plan raises legal, fiscal and practical questions and pointed to provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act governing petroleum pricing.
Atiku, however, maintains that his proposal would be focused on locally refined petrol and would include measures such as spending limits, public accounting and independent auditing. He has said the objective is to reduce energy and transportation costs while supporting Nigerian production.
The cost of living is expected to remain a major issue as political parties and presidential candidates prepare for the 2027 general election. Atiku's latest pledge places economic affordability, wages and fuel prices at the centre of his campaign message.
Atiku's proposed measures remain campaign commitments, meaning their implementation would depend on the outcome of the election, subsequent legislation where required and the availability of public funds.