Accountable Borrowing: The South Africa Example.
I have consistently maintained that borrowing, in itself, is not a bad thing. Every nation borrows. The critical issue is not the act of borrowing, but what the borrowed funds are used for and whether citizens can clearly see and measure the impact of such borrowing in their daily lives.
There is a lot to learn in the open and transparent manner in which South Africa handled its recently secured a $1 billion loan from the New Development Bank, with a clearly defined purpose. Publicly announcing the targeted purpose of the loan for all to know and monitor, upgrading water supply systems, modernising sanitation infrastructure, improving electricity distribution, and strengthening waste management services across eight major metropolitan cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
This is indeed what accountable borrowing should look like; the purpose is clear, the projects are identifiable, and the expected benefits to citizens are measurable. Such investments directly improve living conditions, enhance productivity, and stimulate economic growth.
In Nigeria, however, the opposite is the case: public debt has risen dramatically under the current administration, and its deployment is shrouded in secrecy from the people who will indeed pay back the loan. Today, our total public debt has increased from about ₦87 trillion in 2023 to nearly ₦200 trillion.
Yet, despite this unprecedented accumulation of debt, Nigerians are often left without a clear and detailed account of how these borrowings are being deployed to improve critical sectors such as education, healthcare, power, security, and infrastructure.
Borrowing must never become an end in itself. Every loan obtained in the name of the Nigerian people must be tied to specific, productive investments capable of generating economic value, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and improving the welfare of citizens.
Good governance demands transparency and accountability. The government must be able to clearly explain what was borrowed, where it was invested, and what measurable outcomes have been achieved. The ordinary Nigerian should be able to see and feel the benefits of every debt incurred on their behalf.
At a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with rising costs of living, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing power, fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources are no longer optional; they are imperative.
Every borrowing decision should answer one simple question: How does this improve the life of the ordinary Nigerian? If that question cannot be convincingly answered, then we risk merely transferring today's burdens to future generations.
A New Nigeria is POssible. - PO
BRICS bank approves $1 billion lifeline for South Africa’s struggling cities | Business Insider Africa https://t.co/VN0C0Xo8zp
If Peter Obi had done anything illegal or misappropriated state funds, EFCC would have arrested him since. For the fact that the EFCC has not found anything with which to arrest him speaks volumes — Dele Farotimi
“So many Nigerians are more qualified than I am but they are not on the ballot. Among those on the ballot, I am more qualified.”
-Peter Obi on a Media chat with Rufai Oseni.✍️
Peace of Mind wan Finish Peter Obi Supporters 🔥😍🤣
We no dey Support Drug Lords oooh🎤
Character, Competence, Capacity and a Track Record of Integrity ✌🏽🎤🇳🇬😍
Lovers of Nigeria, Get Your PVC’s and be Proud to vote a True Leader in 2027
Obi/Kwankwaso ✌🏽🎤✌🏽
@iamdayoamusa You're supporting this dullard below o😂
Look at this retard.
You supported Tinubu in 2023 and still supporting him now. If you want intellectual conversation, go watch this one with Tinubu and leave Obi alone. Dayo Ode.
https://t.co/6Ws3zwfJJX
“For 1 month, and 9 soldiers:
we were given only 5 pieces of fish.
1 paint of garri
1 paint of beans
A bag of spoiled potatoes
1 liter of palmoil
4 tubers of yam
Few onion bulbs and other mini stuffs…”
- Soldiers lament poor feeding once again!
Dear beloved sports-loving Nigerian youths,
After watching the performances of Davido, Burna Boy, and Rema at the opening of the 2026 World Cup—at a time when Nigeria, the giant of Africa, is absent—I felt a measure of consolation. This was reinforced by the fact that many Nigerians playing for clubs worldwide are representing other countries. Felix Nmecha, for instance, set a record by scoring the fastest goal at six minutes for Germany. I write to you therefore, knowing that this country belongs to you, the youth.
You are more of stakeholders in Nigeria’s future than I am. I am 64 years old; by God’s grace, much of my journey is behind me, while yours lies ahead.
It is therefore imperative that you rise to the challenge by obtaining your PVC, your most powerful tool for driving the change you desire.
In the last three years alone, over 15 million Nigerians have turned 18—enough to decide who becomes President, Governor, Senator, Member of the House, or Local Government Chairman. Indeed, enough to shape the nation’s future.
I know many of you are sceptical about politics and political parties. I understand why, but scepticism must not become surrender.
You do not need to belong to any party or wait for anyone to organise you. Organise yourselves in your streets, campuses, communities, workplaces, churches, mosques, and social groups. Mobilise, debate, demand accountability, and take part in choosing those you wish to entrust with leadership.
If you are organised and wish to hear directly from me, invite me. I will come and share my plans for you and our nation.
Do not sit on the sidelines while others decide your future.
I appeal to you to register and vote. Your vote can shape who becomes the next President of our country.
My young friends, this is your country. Take it back.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
1 year ago today Yelwata, Nigeria, hundreds of Christians were massacred. Their homes and shops razed to the ground. Another average night turned into bloodshed, as has been the story for 2 decades in Nigeria. Across Nigeria, innocent people have continued to be slaughtered while the government and forces look on. For decades, mothers have lost their children, fathers have been butchered , children burned to charcoal. Yelwata is the testimony to the reality of what has happened and is currently happening across relatively every state in Nigeria. The world, especially Christians, should refuse to standby and look on and evil is carried out.
Oyo students and teachers have stayed almost 30 days in the forest now.
The government is doing absolutely nothing to rescue them
We suppose Dey talk this matter till month end.
Nigeria is a oil producing country that has never had electricity — Kemi Badenoch
Leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has criticised Nigeria’s governance record, describing the country’s long-standing electricity challenges as a consequence of poor public policy.
Speaking on how her upbringing shaped her political beliefs, Badenoch said Nigeria’s vast natural resources had not translated into prosperity for its citizens.
“Nigeria is an oil-producing country that has never had electricity,” she said. “It is very easy to have resources under the ground, but st¥pid public policy means that you can’t use them.”
The British politician drew parallels between policies she opposes in the United Kingdom and the approach of past Nigerian military governments.
“And I see quite a lot of what Ed Miliband is doing as being very much like what the Nigerian military dictatorships were doing in the 1980s and 1990s,” she stated.
According to Badenoch, excessive government control and wealth redistribution policies often lead to economic decline.
“The government’s going to take control. We know what’s best. We’re going to redistribute. These are st¥pid ideas that eventually just bankrupt the country,” she said.
Reflecting on her childhood in Nigeria, Badenoch said her experiences in a developing country continue to influence her views on governance and economic management.
“Fundamentally, my views about how we should run our country come from growing up in a place that was very poor. You grow up in a third-world country and you look at why it is termed ‘third world,’ and I don’t want that to happen here,” she added.