Abuja, Nigeria – Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, criticized the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, regarding a request to the Senate of Nigeria for a $516 million external loan to finance the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project.
Okay News reports that Atiku released a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, demanding transparency in the financing. “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 said.
Atiku addressed the contracting process for infrastructure projects and referenced previous federal highway construction. “Every kobo borrowed in the name of the Nigerian people must be matched with transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to procurement laws,” he said.
He requested that the National Assembly review the loan application to guarantee the terms serve the interests of the public and deliver economic value.
The statement noted that the proposed highway is designed to connect the Northwest region of the country to the Southwest. Atiku referenced the contracting process for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a reason for concern regarding future infrastructure financing.
