Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi has argued that Nigerians have more money than many people assume, pointing to the heavy traffic on the country’s roads despite the sharp increase in petrol prices following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Gumi made the remarks during an interview on PAPShow on Friday, October 30, 2026, where he questioned whether the financial difficulties often associated with rising fuel prices accurately reflected the spending capacity of Nigerians.
According to the cleric, the continued congestion on major roads, particularly in Abuja, challenged his earlier expectation that higher petrol prices would significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
He said he had anticipated that the increased cost of fuel would make driving unaffordable for many people, leading to fewer cars on the streets.
However, the volume of traffic he continued to observe prompted him to reconsider his perception of Nigerians’ financial capacity.
Gumi Questions the Impact of Fuel Subsidy Spending
Beyond his observations about traffic, Gumi argued that the money previously spent by the Federal Government on petrol subsidies could have been channelled into infrastructure and other essential public services.
He suggested that the resources could have been used to construct roads, improve basic facilities and address some of the country’s longstanding infrastructure challenges.
The cleric maintained that government resources should be deployed in ways that provide lasting benefits to the population rather than sustaining arrangements that, in his view, could be better managed through investment in public infrastructure.
His comments come amid continued debate over the consequences of the petrol subsidy removal introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2023.
The policy ended the government’s previous system of subsidising petrol prices, contributing to a substantial increase in the cost of fuel and transportation.
Nigerians Continue to Feel the Pressure of Rising Costs
Although Gumi believes the number of vehicles on Nigerian roads suggests that citizens have more money than commonly assumed, the observation does not necessarily establish that households are financially comfortable.
Many Nigerians continue to face pressure from rising food prices, transportation costs, housing expenses and other essential needs.
Heavy traffic can also reflect population growth, limited public transport options, dependence on private vehicles and inadequate road infrastructure rather than increased household wealth alone.
The cleric’s remarks have therefore added another perspective to the ongoing conversation about Nigerians’ spending power and the economic effects of government policies.
Debate Over Subsidy Savings and Public Infrastructure
The removal of the petrol subsidy was defended by the Federal Government as a necessary step towards reducing public expenditure and redirecting resources towards development.
However, questions remain about how effectively the savings and additional revenues have translated into improved infrastructure and better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
Gumi’s argument places renewed attention on the need for governments to demonstrate clear, measurable benefits from public funds, particularly when citizens are being asked to bear higher living costs.
His comments also highlight a broader question facing policymakers: how can the country balance fiscal reforms with measures that protect households from economic hardship?
While the cleric’s observations about traffic have shaped his view of Nigerians’ financial capacity, the wider economic picture remains complex, with differences in income, living expenses and access to essential services affecting households in different ways.
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