FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT FOR RURAL WOMEN IN IKOT EKPENE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined fuel subsidy removal and Sustainable livelihood enhancement for women in rural communities in Ikot Ekpene local government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Social conflict theory which sees the dominant group (the government) impose policies (fuel subsidy removal) that may have negative impact on the subordinate group (rural women) without considering negative challenges which can lead to conflicts, while neo-classical economic theory serve as a tool for explaining the policy, here the government must therefore factor the welfare of the masses into consideration when dealing with issues of public concern or policies implemented, was adopted as theoretical framework for the study. Data was randomly obtained from three hundred and ninety-eight (398) respondents across six (6) rural communities n Ikot Ekpene L.G.A. Four hypotheses were tested, using chi-square technique rejected the null hypotheses and the alternate hypotheses retained. The study revealed a significant influence between fuel subsidy removals on the livelihood enhancement of rural women. The study concludes that removal of fuel subsidy has posed significant negative impact and threatens the sustainable livelihood enhancement of rural women. As evidenced in the findings of the study, an inclusive development is needed to pull out rural women in Nigerian society out of poverty.