Proceedings of the 3rd (Hybrid) International Conference, Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Held on June 4, 2025
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/ConfP.2025.023
SOCIETAL RESPONSE TO SUBSIDY REMOVAL IN NIGERIA: A FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE
Endurance Uzobo
Department of Sociology, Niger Delta University, Nigeria
Abstract
This study explores the impact of the removal of subsidies on Nigerian society from a functionalist perspective. It investigates how this policy change has influenced social structures and functions, focusing on its effects on social stability, integration, and adaptation in Nigerian society. The study utilises fundamental functionalism concepts such as Robert K. Merton’s manifest and latent functions, Talcott Parsons’ AGIL framework, and Emile Durkheim’s idea of anomie to analyse how the discontinuation of subsidies has impacted societal institutions, including the government, the economy, and social welfare systems. The study looks at how institutions can help restore balance and manage any potential disruptions caused by the policy change. It shows how functionalist theory can shed light on the broader effects of removing subsidies, such as changes in public opinion, economic behaviour, and social unity, by analysing current social dynamics in Nigeria. The findings emphasise the need for adaptive strategies and institutional reforms to mitigate negative consequences and strengthen society in the face of policy-driven economic changes.
Keywords: Subsidy Removal, Functionalism, Social Stability, Institutional Adaptation, Nigeria