But the government believes that removing subsidies on petroleum products as part of reforms of the energy sector will help to resolve the country's pressing fuel problem. However, reforms are not popular either. The Nigerian Labour Congress has organised a series of mass rallies to begin next week. President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the present fuel subsidy makes no sense as it fails to benefit the majority of Nigerians and he would instead subsidise education, health and water services. The deregulation plans would see oil refineries in Nigeria pay international market prices for crude oil.
Deal follows four year land crisis Links to more Africa stories are at the foot of the page.