Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, on Sunday expressed optimism that the country will soon reach a level of prosperity where it will no longer be a borrower — but instead will be “lending to other nations” by 2026. She made the bold declaration while receiving a traditional chieftaincy title, Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua, in Ile‑Ife, Osun State, during the 10th coronation anniversary of Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Standing before a gathering of traditional rulers, former leaders, politicians and dignitaries, Tinubu told the audience that under the current administration led by Bola Tinubu, “Nigeria’s joy has come.” She said many Nigerians may wonder how such a feat will be achieved — but assured them the administration will “show them how things are done.” “By 2026, Nigeria will be in prosperity; other countries will come and borrow money from us,” she declared.
Tinubu framed her statement as more than mere optimism — presenting it as a concrete goal tied to the administration’s economic vision. According to various reports, the comment was meant to highlight a turnaround in Nigeria’s fortunes under the Tinubu presidency, as the country battles economic headwinds, inflation, and a heavy debt burden.
Her remarks come at a time when the national government is actively seeking fresh foreign loans as part of a broader external borrowing plan covering 2025–2026. Reports indicate that the government has submitted requests to the national legislature to approve multi‑currency loans worth billions of dollars for infrastructure, security, and other development projects.
This juxtaposition — a public aspiration to become a creditor nation by 2026 even as the government seeks more external financing — has drawn attention to the challenges ahead. Analysts caution that for Nigeria to transform from borrower to lender within a few years, substantial economic reforms would be required: stabilizing the currency, boosting revenue beyond oil, managing debt carefully, and delivering on infrastructure and economic growth targets.
Critics argue that given Nigeria’s current debt profile and borrowing trajectory, the promise could be overly ambitious. As of mid‑2025, the government’s external borrowing plans already include substantial sums, raising concerns about the sustainability of such debt in the face of global economic uncertainty and domestic fiscal pressures.
Still, supporters of the government’s agenda view Tinubu’s assertion as a powerful statement of confidence — one that signals a shift in narrative from perpetual borrowing to long‑term economic strength and self‑reliance. For them, the 2026 target represents a symbolic goalpost: a vision of a Nigeria that is economically robust enough to support not only its citizens but also other nations.
As Nigerians watch developments in the economy and government finances, the coming months — and the policies of the Tinubu administration — will be critical in determining whether the ambitious projection of becoming a lending nation is achievable. For now, Tinubu’s declaration has set a high bar, and raised both hope and skepticism across the country.
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