Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered to provide President Bola Tinubu’s administration with free policy ideas and technical advice to reduce the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the offer on Friday, September 18, 2026, during a press briefing in Abuja.
He urged President Tinubu to use the remaining eight months of his first term to address the rising cost of petrol, transportation and basic necessities.
“The President should know that eight months may sound short inside Aso Rock. But eight months is a very long time when you are living from hand to mouth. Use that time to reduce the burden on Nigerians,” Atiku said.
He added that Nigerians should not have to wait for a change of government before benefiting from policies that could improve their lives.
“And if your government requires policy ideas or technical input on how to bring relief, I am prepared to make mine available. Nigerians do not have to wait for another administration before they benefit from an idea that can help them today,” he said.
Atiku said he was willing to share his policy framework with Mr Tinubu at no cost if the president was interested.
He also said the administration could rename the policy and take credit for implementing it, provided Nigerians benefited.
“If you need the framework, I will provide it. Implement it under your government. Give it whatever name you choose. Take the credit. I ask for only one thing: Let Nigerians breathe,” he said.
The former vice president said political competition should not take precedence over the welfare of citizens.
“I am prepared to compete with you politically. But I will never compete with the welfare of the Nigerian people. The presidency may be contested. The well-being of Nigerians should never be,” he added.
Atiku also proposed a production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerian consumers.
He said the policy would be introduced from May 29, 2027, if he wins the presidential election.
“If elected, from May 29, 2027, I will introduce a transparent production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold to Nigerians,” he said.
According to Atiku, the proposed subsidy would apply only to petroleum products confirmed to have been refined in Nigeria. Imported products would not qualify.
He said the programme would have a fixed spending limit, require National Assembly approval and be subject to independent audits.
“Our production subsidy will work the same way; government support must bring prices down. Only products confirmed to be refined in Nigeria will qualify. Imported products will not,” he said.
Atiku argued that the policy would help reduce the cost of goods and services while encouraging local production.
He also urged the federal government to introduce measures that would support local rice production and improve the transportation of agricultural produce.
Using the example of a Nigerian rice miller, he said reducing milling costs could enable producers to sell rice at lower prices, increase demand for locally grown rice and create jobs in farming, processing, packaging and transportation.
Atiku said his proposed economic plan would focus on increasing production, creating jobs and improving Nigerians’ purchasing power.
“And if elected, I will work to build an economy in which growth is not merely announced in Abuja but felt in Nigerian homes—an economy where more production means more jobs.
“Where more revenue means better lives. Where economic growth means greater purchasing power. And where the Nigerian family can once again afford the necessities of life. Because ultimately, Nigerians do not live on statistics. They live on what their hard-earned money can buy,” he said.
The ADC candidate also criticised the government’s reliance on palliatives to address economic hardship.
He urged President Tinubu to tackle the causes of rising prices rather than depend primarily on food distribution and cash transfers.
“If responsible intervention can lower prices, intervene. If changing course can help Nigerian families, change course. And Nigerians do not need another elaborate palliative ceremony,” Atiku said.
He argued that emergency assistance could provide temporary relief but could not replace sound economic policies.
“Do not make life unbearable and then distribute bags of rice as evidence of compassion. Do not break a man’s legs, hand him crutches and demand applause for providing mobility,” he said.
Atiku also criticised the proposed phasing out of electricity subsidies from 2027, warning that the move could increase pressure on households and businesses.
“Electricity is already expensive. Families are calculating how long their units will last,” he said.
He said small businesses and manufacturers were already struggling with the cost of electricity, diesel and alternative power sources.
“The barber needs electricity for his clippers. The tailor needs it for her machines. The frozen-food seller needs it to preserve her stock. The welder needs it for his equipment. The manufacturer needs it to keep the factory alive,” he said.
Atiku urged the government to consider the effects of higher energy costs before implementing further subsidy reforms.
“The lesson of petrol must not be repeated with electricity. Do not remove first and think later. Do not impose the pain first and search for palliatives afterwards. When energy becomes unaffordable, everything becomes unaffordable,” he said.
President Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, the day he assumed office.
The policy, alongside the floating of the naira, was followed by substantial increases in the prices of fuel, transportation, food and other necessities.
The federal government has defended the reforms, saying they eliminated waste and corruption and freed resources for investment in infrastructure, education and other sectors.
Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election to Tinubu, is seeking to return to the presidency in 2027 under the ADC.
He said the government should use the remaining months of its first term to reduce the burden on Nigerians, regardless of who proposed the policies.
“Bola Tinubu should not be ashamed to do it because Atiku Abubakar proposed it,” he said.
