“Don’t burden unborn Nigerians with debt” — Atiku supports Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project, blasts Tinubu’s loan plan

The former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has shown great fear concerning the move by Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking an approval from the Senate for another external loan amounting to $516 million for constructing sections of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project.

According to Atiku, who through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu made the statement, developing infrastructure, especially when it aims at linking the North-West with the South-West, is highly required.

“Indeed, no region of Nigeria should be left behind in the march toward national integration and economic expansion. However, noble intentions cannot excuse reckless fiscal choices.

“At a time when Nigeria is already groaning under the weight of unsustainable debt, the resort to yet another foreign loan—without transparent terms, clear cost-benefit analysis, and a credible repayment framework—raises profound questions about prudence and accountability,” Atiku stated.

He emphasized that this is not a regional issue, nor should it be framed as one.

“The people of Northern Nigeria, like their counterparts across the country, deserve development that is sustainable, transparent, and not mortgaged against their future.

“What Nigerians expect is not just ambitious projects, but responsible financing. Development must not become a euphemism for deepening debt traps that generations yet unborn will be forced to repay,” he added.

The former Vice President further noted that while strategic infrastructure can unlock economic corridors, it must be pursued within the bounds of fiscal discipline, prioritization, and openness.

“Borrowing must never replace creativity in governance or efficiency in resource management,” he said.

He also stressed the need for absolute transparency in the award and execution of the project, pointing to earlier concerns raised over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

“Nigerians have not forgotten the serious questions surrounding the opaque award process of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway—where due process, competitive bidding, and value-for-money considerations were widely called into question. We must not replicate such a troubling precedent,” Atiku warned.

He insisted that the Sokoto–Badagry project must not be reduced to another exercise in favouritism or insider contracting.

“Public infrastructure cannot become a private bazaar for cronies and connected interests. Every kobo borrowed in the name of the Nigerian people must be matched with transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to procurement laws,” he added.

He called on the National Assembly to subject the loan request to the highest level of scrutiny, ensuring that the terms are in the best interest of the Nigerian people and that the project delivers measurable economic value.

“Nigeria must build, but Nigeria must not borrow blindly. Progress anchored on opacity and debt accumulation is neither progress nor leadership it is postponement of crisis,” Atiku concluded.