EFFECT OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL ON YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN KOGI STATE

Removal of the fuel subsidy in Nigeria marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s economic, social, and environmental trajectory. The strength of any nation could be determined by its economy stability and the constant growth rate of her GDP per capita. This study is out to investigate the Effect of subsidy removal on youth unemployment in Kogi State. The study makes significant contributions to our understanding of the multifaceted implications of fuel subsidy removal. This study was carried out using the descriptive research design. his research work adopted the Krejcie’s and Morgan’s formula for sample size determination. The data was presented and analyzed using the descriptive instrument of mean. The questionnaire was vetted using four Likert rating scale: Strongly Agree =4; Agree =3; Disagree =2 and Strongly Disagreed=1. Thus, 4+3+2+1=10. 10/4= 2.5. This research revealed that, subsidy on fuel which the federal government introduced was not useful to a majority of Nigerians because it did not benefit the masses especially by increasing unemployment. The researcher also observed that there is a great disappointment and a high level of mistrust among the populace because Tinibu’s presidency/regime has not proved to be different from other regimes. The study concluded that, A majority of Nigerians don’t accept the fuel subsidy removal because the poor masses were benefiting from it. It was the hope of the masses that the government would use the money that accrued from the removal of subsidy on fuel to develop other sectors of the economy from which the masses could benefit. The study recommended that, Government should identify areas of wastages in governance such as the allocation of largesse and booties in the name of allowance. The government should also try and adjust and reprioritized the proposed spending in the 2024 budget to fund fuel subsidy, and in a way that addresses social needs and improve the wellbeing of all citizens