The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has denied any involvement in the Nigerian government’s decision to remove fuel subsidies, stating that the choice was purely domestic. Abebe Selassie, African Region Director at the IMF, emphasized that the organization’s role is limited to regular dialogue, similar to its interactions with other countries like Japan or the UK .
At a press conference during the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC, Selassie acknowledged the need for investments in critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and education. He viewed the government’s subsidy removal as a strategic move toward sustainable economic growth, recognizing the significant social costs involved.
The IMF’s clarification comes after accusations that the Nigerian government followed IMF policies in implementing total subsidy removal. The organization’s position underscores the importance of domestic decision-making in economic policy ¹.
