Nigeria’s Debt: Obasanjo Calls Tinubu’s Comparison with Leprosy “Absurd”

In Abeokuta on October 30, 2026, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo challenged Bola Tinubu’s defense of borrowing, which Tinubu had said in April was not leprosy. Obasanjo called debt worse than the disease, saying it could destroy generations, days after Tinubu sought approval for additional foreign borrowing of $20.52 billion and €1.04 billion. He also criticized recommendations from the IMF and World Bank, including opposition to agricultural subsidies, and questioned the abilities of current leaders. Nigeria had previously reached a $30 billion debt-relief agreement with the Paris Club.