EDUCATION AND ECONOMICS REFORM OF SUBSIDY REMOVAL IN NIGERIA: SOCIOLOGICAL IMPLICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper explores the educational and economic reforms related to fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the sociological implications for sustainable educational development. The study employs quantitative methods to analyze data from a variety of sources, including government reports, academic articles, and surveys. The findings reveal that the potential gains of subsidy removal for Nigerian education include increased government revenue for investment, improved infrastructure, enhanced teacher welfare and capacity building, the promotion of equity, and support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Conversely, the identified "pains" of the policy include the rising cost of schooling, increased dropout rates, reduced funding for private households and students, welfare challenges for teachers and students, and widening inequality in educational access. Based on these findings, the paper suggests that a specific percentage of the revenue saved from subsidy removal should be legally committed to funding education, particularly in infrastructure, research, and teacher training. Furthermore, the government should cushion the impact of rising costs by expanding school feeding programs, providing scholarships, and distributing free textbooks to vulnerable students. To counter the effects of inflation on welfare, salaries and allowances should be reviewed alongside the implementation of continuous professional development programs to enhance teaching quality.

DOI: https://doie.org/10.10318/SER.2026444294