Public reactions have continued to emerge online after former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, drew a comparison between South Africa's use of borrowed funds and the borrowing practices of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.
Obi made the remarks in a post shared on his official X account on Thursday, June 18, 2026, following reports that the South African government had obtained a $1 billion loan from the New Development Bank.
According to Obi, South Africa intends to channel the funds into critical infrastructure projects, including improvements to water supply networks, modernization of sanitation facilities, and enhancement of electricity distribution systems.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate praised the South African government's approach, describing it as transparent and accountable. In contrast, he argued that Nigerians are often left in the dark about how borrowed funds are utilized, despite being responsible for repaying those debts in the future.
In his statement, Obi stressed that every loan acquired by a government should have a clear and measurable impact on citizens' welfare. He noted that borrowing without a convincing explanation of its benefits could place unnecessary financial burdens on future generations.
He wrote:
"Every borrowing decision should answer one simple question: How does this improve the life of the ordinary Nigerian? If that question cannot be convincingly answered, then we risk merely transferring today's burdens to future generations."
Following the post, numerous social media users took to various platforms to express their opinions, with many sharing differing perspectives on Obi's comments and the broader issue of government borrowing and accountability.
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