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By Denzel Amobi
IN SHORT, Several Facebook posts claim that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has slammed the Nigerian government’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy. But she has denied the quote attributed to her.
Bola Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s president on 29 May 2023. At his inauguration, he announced the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The move led to increased fuel and food prices, and was slammed by most Nigerians.
In this context, some Facebook posts have attributed a controversial quote to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala regarding the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The quote reads: “Nigeria’s debt for the first time in history has risen to 24 trillion in just 2 months, even after removing the subsidy, which is something unbelievable. I called several times to help and advise, but the current administration and cabals refuse to let me come in. How can you remove fuel subsidy with a debt of 24 trillion in 2 months?”
Some posts show the text in quotation marks and a photo of Okonjo-Iweala, implying that she said it.
Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian-American economist, was appointed as the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) seventh director general in 2021. She is the first woman and the first African to hold the position. Okonjo-Iweala previously served as Nigeria’s finance minister.
The WTO is an intergovernmental body that regulates and promotes international trade.
Since Tinubu took office, there has been controversy and disinformation about his relationship with Okonjo-Iweala.
In May 2024, Africa Check debunked a claim that Okonjo-Iweala supported Tinubu’s economic policies.
The quote attributed to Okonjo-Iweala has been republished here, here, and here.
First publication: World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala distances herself from viral quote on Nigeria’s fuel subsidy removal.
