IMPACT OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL ON THE WELL-BEING OF PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Research problem: The removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria has triggered significant socio-economic challenges, particularly for public sector workers with fixed incomes who are exposed to inflationary pressures. In Adamawa State, employees of tertiary institutions are increasingly burdened by rising costs of transportation, food, and essential goods, raising concerns about the policy’s impact on their purchasing power, standard of living, and overall well-being. Methods/theory: The study, guided by Neoliberalism Theory, adopted a descriptive survey design with a population of 11,442 staff across four tertiary institutions in Adamawa State. Using Taro Yamane’s formula, 386 respondents were selected through multi-stage sampling, and data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: Findings showed that fuel subsidy removal significantly and negatively affects employees’ purchasing power, cost of living, and standard of living. Respondents reported increased household expenses and reduced affordability of basic needs, indicating heightened financial strain. Conclusion: The study concludes that subsidy removal undermines the socio-economic well-being of tertiary institution workers in Adamawa State, with implications for employee welfare and productivity. Key Contribution to Knowledge: The research provides empirical evidence linking subsidy removal to declining living conditions of public servants, contributing to policy debates on economic reforms and workers’ welfare. Recommendation: The study recommends salary reviews, enhanced welfare packages, and cushioning policies to mitigate the inflationary impact on employees.