“If We Have to Borrow Money, We’ll Borrow; Borrowing Is Not Leprosy” — President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has defended the use of borrowing as a tool for national development, saying taking loans should not be viewed negatively if the funds are managed responsibly and repaid through economic growth.
Speaking on the issue, the President said borrowing remains a legitimate option for governments seeking to finance critical projects and drive development.
“If we have to borrow money, we’ll borrow. Borrowing is not leprosy; we just have to work hard to be able to pay for it,” Tinubu said.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over Nigeria’s rising debt profile and the need for increased investment in infrastructure, job creation, and economic reforms.
Tinubu stressed that the key concern should not be borrowing itself, but ensuring that borrowed funds are productively invested in sectors that can stimulate growth, generate revenue, and improve the standard of living for citizens.
The statement has sparked fresh reactions from economists, opposition figures, and policy analysts, many of whom have continued to call for prudent debt management and stronger fiscal discipline.