AN EXAMINATION ON THE EFFECT OF 2023 FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL ON LIVING STANDARD OF RESIDENTS SHANGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA KEBBI STATE

This study examines the effect of the 2023 fuel subsidy removal on the living standard of residents in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria. The removal of the fuel subsidy, announced by the Federal Government in 2023, led to a sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products, thereby influencing the cost of transportation, food, and essential goods and services. The research adopted a descriptive survey design, using structured questionnaires to collect data from households, traders, and transport operators within the area. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods to determine the extent of the policy’s impact on income levels, household expenditure, employment, and access to basic necessities. Findings revealed that the subsidy removal significantly reduced the residents’ purchasing power, increased living costs, and heightened economic hardship among low-income earners. However, a minority of respondents perceived potential long-term benefits if the funds saved are effectively redirected to social and infrastructural development. The study concludes that while the policy may have macroeconomic justification, its immediate effects have been largely detrimental to the living standards of rural residents. It recommends the implementation of targeted palliative measures, social welfare programs, and economic empowerment initiatives to cushion the adverse effects on vulnerable populations. Would you like me to make this abstract more academic (journal style) or simpler (for undergraduate project submission)**?Key Words: Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) – Statistical Bulletin,National Bureau Of Statistics (NBS), World Data Bank & International Monetary Fund (IMF).