BREAKING: SERAP Demands Governors, Wike to Account for ₦14 Trillion Fuel Subsidy Savings

SERAP has demanded for Governors and Wike to account for ₦14 trillion fuel subsidy savings.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to immediately disclose how they spent an estimated ₦14 trillion fuel subsidy savings received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since mid-2023.

In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated October 4, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization demanded full disclosure of the projects executed with the funds, their locations, implementation status, and completion reports. SERAP also requested details of plans for future subsidy savings allocations.

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“Provide details of the plans on how subsequent fuel subsidy savings you expect to collect from FAAC allocations will be spent, including details of any planned projects,” the group stated.

SERAP further called on the governors and the FCT minister to invite the ICPC and EFCC to track and monitor the spending of the subsidy funds to prevent diversion into private pockets.

The group emphasized that the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy should be used strictly to improve the lives of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, who have been hardest hit by the policy.

Despite the trillions of naira in increased FAAC allocations, SERAP noted that there has been no visible improvement in basic public services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare.

“There is a legitimate public interest for governors and the FCT minister to urgently explain how they have spent the money they have so far collected from the subsidy savings,” SERAP said.

The organization warned that if no response is received within seven days, it will take legal action to compel compliance.

Citing a recent Supreme Court judgment, SERAP reminded governors that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all states, meaning they can no longer claim exemption from transparency laws.

“The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend public funds,” SERAP added.

According to FAAC data, Nigeria distributed ₦28.78 trillion in 2024 following the removal of petrol subsidy, a 79% increase from the previous year. Of this, state governments received ₦5.22 trillion, while monthly distributions in 2025 exceeded ₦1.6 trillion.

Despite the windfall, SERAP noted, many states still owe workers’ salaries and pensions, while citizens continue to face deepening poverty and deteriorating access to essential services.