Fuel Subsidy Removal: Implications on the Living Standards of Low-Income Households in Osun State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Akin George Ogunleye Osun State University, Osogbo Nigeria
  • Segun Oderinde Obafemi Awolowo Unversity, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • Olagoke Oluwafemi Awotayo Osun State University, Osogbo Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22146/jsds.18439

Keywords:

Fuel Subsidy Removal,, Poverty, Low-Income Households, Living Standards, Hardship

Abstract

This study examines the implications of fuel subsidy removal on the living standards of low-income households in Osun State, Nigeria. A descriptive research design was employed, and a sample of 500 respondents was selected across all thirty local governments in the State. The sample size was determined based on the research questions and the need to achieve a representative sample of low-income households. The study draws on the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), which provides a framework for understanding the implications of fuel subsidy removal. The findings reveal that the removal of fuel subsidies has led to increased costs of food, transportation, and other essential goods, resulting in significant hardship for low-income households.  The study concludes that, to prevent further poverty and hardship, the Nigerian government should provide targeted support to low-income households, including social protection programmes and support measures to alleviate the economic disruptions caused by fuel subsidy removal and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

Author Biographies

Akin George Ogunleye, Osun State University, Osogbo Nigeria

Akin George Ogunleye is an Associate Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics of Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria. He had his first degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, graduating with second class (upper division) in Economics; he ran his master’s degree program at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in the same discipline, and also obtained the PhD Economics of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria. He has published in many journals of repute. His research interest is in Public Policy and Development of Emerging Economies.

Segun Oderinde, Obafemi Awolowo Unversity, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Segun Lakin Oderinde is a lecturer in the Department of Arts and Social Science Education, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He obtained his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Political Science Education from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He earned his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Political Science, Osun State University, Osogbo. His research interests include Political Science Education, Curriculum Development, Social Issues, Elections, Public Policy Analysis, and Political Economy.

Olagoke Oluwafemi Awotayo, Osun State University, Osogbo Nigeria

Olagoke Oluwafemi Awotayo is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ilesa, Osun State. He earned a Bachelor of Education in Political Science, a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan, an MSc in Political Science from Adeleke University, and a PhD in Political Science from Osun State University. His research interests include political governance, peace and conflict studies, security studies, and socio‑political development, with scholarly focus on security governance, federalism, food security, and the role of youth in national development across diverse contemporary policy contexts in Nigeria today.

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Published

2026-02-18

How to Cite

Ogunleye, A. G., Oderinde, S., & Awotayo, O. O. (2026). Fuel Subsidy Removal: Implications on the Living Standards of Low-Income Households in Osun State, Nigeria . Journal of Social Development Studies, 6(2), 138–147. https://doi.org/10.22146/jsds.18439

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