The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the Federal Government to complement its 30-day petrol discount with comprehensive measures to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation said the effectiveness of the intervention would depend on transparent implementation, accessibility and tangible benefits for citizens. HEDA noted that although the government had clarified that the initiative was a temporary margin discount rather than a return to blanket fuel subsidy, it must translate into meaningful reductions in transportation costs and provide relief to households and businesses. The civil organisation called for stronger social protection programmes, including timely and transparent cash transfers to vulnerable households, supported by credible beneficiary data, clear eligibility criteria and effective accountability mechanisms to prevent diversion and exclusion. It also urged the government to address rising food and transportation costs through targeted support for commercial transport operators, improved access to affordable public transport, increased investment in local food production and distribution, and measures to reduce the cost of moving agricultural produce to markets. On the implementation of the petrol discount, Suraju called for the publication of clear guidelines identifying participating NNPC stations, the applicable discount per litre, eligibility criteria for public transport operators and mechanisms for monitoring compliance. It also urged the government to ensure transparent reporting on the proposed petrol price ceiling and its monthly reviews. “Regular disclosure of implementation costs and outcomes was necessary to promote public accountability, particularly given the tax concessions and arrangements involving fuel marketers,” Suraju added. HEDA further called for accelerated investment in sustainable alternatives to petrol, including reliable public transportation, affordable compressed natural gas (CNG) options and renewable energy, supported by adequate infrastructure and appropriate safety standards. While acknowledging the government’s concerns about the long-term fiscal implications of a blanket fuel subsidy, the organisation maintained that economic management must prioritise citizens’ welfare alongside fiscal sustainability. HEDA urged the Federal Government to treat the 30-day discount as an immediate relief measure and develop a broader, people-centred response that improves household purchasing power, supports small businesses and makes essential goods and services more affordable. It added that the success of the intervention should be measured by the tangible relief experienced by Nigerians, rather than the announcement of the policy alone.