Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for Another ₦1.15 Trillion Loan to Fund 2025 Budget Amid Invasion Threats

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for Another ₦1.15 Trillion Loan to Fund 2025 Budget Amid Invasion Threats 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval to secure an additional ₦1.15 trillion loan to help fund the implementation of the 2025 national budget, a move that has already sparked debates across political and economic circles in Nigeria.

The request, contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read during plenary on Tuesday, explained that the loan is aimed at bridging funding gaps in critical sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security. According to the President, the facility is part of his administration’s strategy to ensure full execution of capital projects outlined in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

Tinubu noted that the borrowing plan is “in line with the fiscal responsibility framework” and necessary to sustain ongoing economic reforms under his Renewed Hope Agenda. He assured lawmakers that the funds will be prudently managed and channeled toward projects that will yield measurable economic growth and social benefits.

> “This borrowing is vital to support ongoing national development efforts and ensure that essential projects are not stalled due to funding constraints,” Tinubu’s letter partly read.

However, the proposed loan has already drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers, economists, and members of the public. While some analysts argue that additional borrowing is necessary to keep the government’s ambitious programs running, others warn that Nigeria’s debt profile is becoming unsustainable.

According to recent data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s total public debt stood at ₦121 trillion as of mid-2025, raising concerns about the country’s growing debt-servicing burden. Experts fear that continued reliance on borrowing could undermine long-term fiscal stability and weaken the naira further.

In the Senate, a number of lawmakers reportedly expressed concerns about the government’s frequent recourse to loans, urging the executive to prioritize revenue generation through diversification and improved tax administration. Others, however, maintained that borrowing remains a global practice if funds are invested wisely.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) reportedly cautioned, “We cannot continue to borrow our way into development without showing Nigerians clear evidence of how previous loans have been utilized.”

Meanwhile, presidential aides have defended the move, insisting that the proposed loan would not only boost infrastructure but also stimulate job creation, enhance energy security, and improve public service delivery across the federation.

Political observers say the loan request will test the unity of the Senate majority and the opposition’s resolve to demand accountability from the executive arm. The request comes at a time when Nigerians are grappling with high inflation, fuel price hikes, and a rising cost of living — factors that have fueled public skepticism about government spending.

If approved, this will add to the growing list of foreign and domestic loans secured by the Tinubu administration since it took office in May 2023.

As the debate continues, many Nigerians are watching closely to see whether the Senate will grant yet another borrowing request or demand stricter conditions for transparency and accountability in the use of the nation’s funds.