Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, has responded to concerns raised by the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, over Nigeria’s continued borrowing despite the removal of fuel subsidy.
The discussion began after Sanusi questioned why Nigeria still depends on loans if the government has already ended subsidy payments. In a video shared by Leadership Newspaper, the Emir asked, “If you’ve removed subsidy, why are we still borrowing?” His statement quickly attracted public attention and sparked debate among Nigerians.
Reacting through a post on his official X account on Friday, April 24, 2026, Daniel Bwala explained that the government is borrowing to fund important sectors of the economy, especially infrastructure projects that require huge financial investment.
Bwala stated that the loans are not meant for unnecessary spending but for long-term national development. According to him, Nigeria faces a major infrastructure deficit that cannot be solved with the country’s current available resources alone.
In his words, “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of our economy. The infrastructure deficit requires a yearly investment of at least $30 billion to $100 billion, and what we have is insufficient.”
He stressed that the government sees borrowing as a necessary economic strategy to close the infrastructure gap and improve essential services such as roads, electricity, transport systems, and other public facilities.
Bwala’s response reflects the Tinubu administration’s position that borrowing should be seen as an investment for future growth rather than a sign of financial weakness. The government believes that without these funds, development in critical sectors would slow down significantly.
The exchange between Sanusi and Bwala has further fueled public discussions about Nigeria’s economic policies, especially as citizens continue to monitor the effects of subsidy removal and other reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu….See More
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