Nigerian singer Cynthia Morgan, now known as Madrina, has made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to take urgent action to alleviate the severe hardship currently affecting the country. In a recent video message shared on her TikTok page, Madrina expressed her concerns about the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, a decision she initially supported.
Madrina reflected on her previous support for the subsidy removal, acknowledging that while she applauded the move, the resultant economic challenges have become increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to bear. She stated, “Are you guys feeling what I am feeling? I’m not even going to lie, I’m feeling it o! And it’s quite unfortunate that we might not be able to do much other than plead with the government. Because spending over $8 billion on subsidy doesn’t make any sense.”
Highlighting the financial implications of the subsidy, she pointed out that Nigeria’s total annual revenue for 2023/2024 is estimated to be around $20 billion. She questioned the logic of spending $7 billion on subsidized petroleum products, emphasizing that such expenditures are unsustainable.
Madrina continued, “I was one of the persons who applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the removal of the fuel subsidy because you know what it is. But currently, I don’t think we have what it takes to live totally off subsidy removal on petroleum products. We don’t have the structures or anything to be able to sustain that. And that is why there’s inflation. The price of petrol controls 90 percent of every other commodity in the market.”
She also pointed out the rising exchange rate of the Naira against the dollar, attributing it to the fact that Nigeria imports more than it exports. With the current GDP per capita at $860, she stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are going to be begging [the government]. I don’t think we have the right to protest or insult anyone in government.”
Madrina reflected on the history of the subsidy, noting that its introduction began with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and criticized the lack of proactive measures taken by past leaders. She acknowledged that President Tinubu is attempting to address the issue directly, stating, “The money that we spent on subsidized PMS is a lot—enough to do many things. If we are able to invest it in other areas of the country, we will be a better nation.”
However, she expressed skepticism about the feasibility of a complete subsidy removal, emphasizing that “100 percent subsidy removal will not work. People are hungry. Crime rates are increasing.”
In a call for a more measured approach, Madrina suggested a “begging challenge” to encourage citizens to plead with the government for assistance. She proposed that the government consider rolling back at least 50 percent of the subsidy removal, stating, “That’s my stance.” Her appeal reflects the growing concern among many Nigerians about the economic challenges they face and the need for immediate government intervention.
