Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to measure the impact of its economic policies by the ability of ordinary Nigerians to afford food, transportation and other basic necessities.

Atiku said rising fuel, transport and food costs were placing increasing pressure on households, arguing that economic reforms would have little meaning to citizens if they continued to struggle with the cost of everyday living.

The former Vice-President made the position in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

He said Nigerians could not be expected to indefinitely absorb successive increases in the prices of essential goods and services while waiting for the benefits of economic reforms.

Atiku also drew attention to the nutritional consequences of the cost-of-living crisis, citing figures that put the proportion of Nigerian children under five who are stunted at 41.1 per cent.

He particularly expressed concern over the reported severity of stunting in the North-West, linking the situation to the broader challenge of household access to adequate food.

According to him, the ultimate test of economic policy should be whether families can meet basic needs and whether businesses can operate without being overwhelmed by energy and transportation costs.

The former Vice-President again advocated a targeted production subsidy tied to petrol refined domestically, arguing that reducing the cost of locally produced fuel could have wider effects across the economy.

His proposal, as previously outlined, is intended to support domestic refining rather than subsidise imported petrol. Atiku has argued that lower domestic fuel production costs could translate into reduced transportation expenses and subsequently ease pressure on food, agriculture, manufacturing and household budgets.

He maintained that the government should focus on interventions capable of reducing the cost burden confronting consumers while supporting productive sectors of the economy.

Atiku’s latest criticism comes amid continued political debate over the consequences of fuel subsidy removal and the appropriate role of government intervention in the petroleum sector.

His position adds a social-welfare dimension to the wider argument over economic reform, placing household purchasing power, food security and the cost of essential services at the centre of the debate.