Tinubu Defends Foreign Loans, Says Nigeria Must Invest In Infrastructure

President Bola Tinubu has robustly responded to criticism, especially from opposition leaders, over new loans the country has accessed from international institutions and banks.

In an essay titled “From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy,” to be published on Nigerian news platforms, President Tinubu wrote: “The real question is not how much we borrow, but what we build, what value we create and what future we leave behind.”

President Tinubu identified the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Trans-Sahara Superhighway, electricity grid upgrades and the modernisation of key commercial ports in Lagos as major projects expected to strengthen Nigeria’s productive capacity.

In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the president said the projects, alongside investments in healthcare, education and vocational training, would connect economic regions, reduce logistics costs, unlock agricultural and industrial potential and attract private investment.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to cut logistics costs along its corridor by 15 to 20 per cent. It could add up to two per cent to Nigeria’s GDP through expanded trade, tourism, and industrial activity.

The project is also projected to generate about 100,000 direct jobs in construction and engineering, alongside more than 150,000 indirect jobs in logistics, materials and related services.

“We are not simply building highways. We are opening economic corridors, connecting markets, unlocking industries and reshaping Nigeria’s economic geography,” the President said.

He said the administration’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030 would require sustained infrastructure investment to support higher productivity, industrialisation and trade.

“We cannot build a USD 1 trillion economy with infrastructure designed for an economy a fraction of that size,” Tinubu said.

He wrote that improving economic indicators and growing international investor confidence are creating opportunities for Nigeria to attract long-term investment and expand critical infrastructure.

The President said the economic reforms his administration introduced in May 2023 helped restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen public finances, and improve the country’s standing in international financial markets.

He said a $1 trillion economy would not emerge by declaration alone but must be built through sustained investment, higher productivity, industrialisation, and trade, stressing that infrastructure development would be critical to achieving the target by 2030.

In an article titled “From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy,” Tinubu said real Gross Domestic Product growth reached 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, while headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September from 20.98 per cent a year earlier.

He also said gross external reserves rose to $55.1 billion as of October 9, 2026, including about $46 billion in net reserves, while the tax-to-GDP ratio increased to 12.5 per cent from seven per cent.

Tinubu said real Gross Domestic Product growth reached 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, while headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September from 20.98 per cent a year earlier.

The President attributed the improvements to measures including petrol subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, tax reforms and coordinated efforts to tackle inflation.

“The decisions taken since 2023 were difficult but necessary,” he said, referring to the reforms.

Tinubu said the gains have strengthened Nigeria’s ability to attract investment and finance projects that support long-term economic growth.

“Confidence has a price; our cost of borrowing is going down, and the country risk premium has drastically decreased,” he said.

The President cited positive assessments by international credit rating agencies as evidence of improved confidence in the economy.

“These are not political endorsements; they are independent assessments by global rating agencies, index providers, regulators and investors, recognising stronger external reserves, improved macroeconomic management and greater financial credibility,” Tinubu said.

According to the President, the improved standing could help Nigeria attract more institutional investors, secure longer-term financing and reduce borrowing costs.

He said the administration was shifting public borrowing away from financing short-term fiscal pressures towards investments that would generate economic returns, create jobs and expand opportunities for future generations.

The President said the government was also pursuing longer-term financing arrangements to match the lifespan of infrastructure assets, reduce refinancing pressures and secure more competitive funding for productive investments.

President Tinubu said Nigeria must convert renewed international confidence into capital expenditure, completed infrastructure and lasting economic benefits for citizens.

He identified five priorities for the next phase of the Federal Executive Council’s economic strategy: food affordability and energy price stability; budget harmonisation and fiscal discipline; completion of high-impact projects and investment in critical infrastructure; an improved economic policy framework and regulatory efficiency; and targeted household support alongside investment in human development.

The President stressed that the success of the current administration’s economic schemes would be measured by completed projects, increased investment, employment generation and improved living standards.

“Securing financing is not the achievement. Completing the project, delivering value and improving the lives of Nigerians is the achievement,” he said.

He added that the nation’s economic ambition must be supported by responsible borrowing and investments that create lasting opportunities for future generations.