Before Fuel Subsidy Removal, We Filled Our Tanks for 1000 Naira; Now It’s Over 6000 Naira

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmad Tinubu on May 29, 2023, some Keke riders in Kano, in the North-West region of Nigeria, popularly known as Adaidaita Sahu, have expressed their grievances. They revealed that before the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, they filled their tanks at 1,000 Naira, but now it costs them over 6,000 Naira.

One of the Keke riders, who spoke with our correspondent in Kano metropolis this morning, mentioned that they are only working to avoid idleness.

Yusuf Umar, speaking to NIGERIAN TRACKER, explained that when the federal government subsidized fuel, they could fill their Adaidaita Sahu at 1,000 Naira. However, they are currently incurring losses, and the passengers often cannot afford the increased fares.

Another Adaidaita Sahu rider, Musbahu Yakubu, noted that while it is sometimes manageable, those who entered into higher purchase agreements with the owners of Adaidaita tricycles are finding it difficult to fulfill the one-year or longer-term agreements.

Yusuf Keke rider

Musbahu stated that they now purchase the Keke tricycle for 1.7 million Naira, but the owners require over 2 million Naira, which is somewhat unattainable.

He further emphasized that they are forced to continue working to avoid idleness, but their main challenge is the cost of petroleum. Currently, they are filling their tanks for over 6,000 Naira, a significant increase compared to the previous 1,000 Naira