Nigerian broadcast journalist Rufai Oseni has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his recent remark that debt is not a “leprosy,” arguing that Nigeria’s rising debt profile is becoming dangerously unsustainable.
Speaking on ARISE Television’s Morning Show, Oseni said the government’s borrowing pattern, combined with the way funds are being utilised, could worsen the country’s economic challenges instead of improving citizens’ welfare.
He insisted that debt, when poorly managed, can become extremely damaging to a nation’s economy. According to him, Nigeria’s growing debt servicing burden is already straining national finances without delivering visible development.
Oseni noted that a large portion of the national budget is now spent on servicing debt, while key sectors such as healthcare and education remain underfunded and in poor condition. He questioned the impact of recent borrowing, including funds reportedly tied to infrastructure projects such as roads, ports, and coastal development.
He further argued that increased borrowing has not translated into meaningful improvement in living conditions, saying poverty levels remain high and economic opportunities are shrinking for many citizens.
Oseni also referenced recent external borrowing and rising national debt figures, questioning what tangible benefits Nigerians have seen from such loans.
He concluded that debt can become destructive if not properly managed, warning that Nigeria’s current trajectory risks worsening economic hardship rather than reducing it.
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