By Abiola Olawale
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a stern letter to 36 state governors, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Nyesom Wike of the FCT, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, and Alex Otti of Abia, demanding a detailed breakdown of how the states have utilized an estimated N14 trillion in savings from the 2023 fuel subsidy removal.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation emphasised the need for public accountability to ensure that these funds benefit ordinary Nigerians grappling with skyrocketing fuel prices and inflation.
SERAP urged them to “provide details of the plans on how subsequent fuel subsidy savings they expect to collect from FAAC allocations, including details of any planned projects on which the money would be spent.”
SERAP also urged them to “publicly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to track and monitor the spending of the fuel subsidy savings collected by you, to ensure that the money is not diverted into private pockets.”
SERAP said: “The savings from the removal of fuel subsidy ought to be spent solely for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the removal. Transparency in the spending of the money would help to avoid a morally repugnant result of double jeopardy for these Nigerians.
“The spending details of the money collected by several states and the FCT from fuel subsidy savings have been mostly shrouded in secrecy.
“Millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians have not benefited from the trillions of naira collected by the governors and the FCT minister as a result of the subsidy savings. Nigerians continue to face a worsening poverty crisis.
“Several states, including your state, are also reportedly spending public funds, which may include fuel subsidy savings, to fund unnecessary travels, buy exotic and bulletproof cars, and generally fund the lavish lifestyles of politicians.”
“There are continuing reports of widespread poverty, underdevelopment, and lack of access to public goods and services in several states.”
“Opacity in the spending of fuel subsidy savings collected by you would continue to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest. Transparency would ensure that public funds are not diverted into private pockets.”
SERAP added: “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your state and the FCT to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“Disclosing the details of the spending of the money collected by your state as fuel savings would allow Nigerians to scrutinise them, and to hold you to account on the spending of public funds.”
“The states and FCT may have failed to transparently and accountably manage the allocations collected from the subsidy savings.”
