Post by Henry Emeka (@Emekus)
Respectfully President Tinubu, we demand you stop paying yourself senators', governors minister monthly salaries which is Nigerian tax money use that money to fix the root causes of boko haram 240 million Nigerians reject akara/corn rice/beans business we demand jobs in IT, mechanics, electricians, plumbing, we demand free light free WIFI/data which you have rent free in Aso rock with Remi Tinubu, free education, free housing invest in farming so that 240 million Nigerians can be food sufficient, free healthcare new hospitals in the 36 states 774 LGA no lies no slogans with all due respect sir/madam. Who borrowed the most? among Nigeria’s presidents since 1999, Buhari stands out as the single largest borrower, measured by net increase in total public debt and external debt growth.
Muhammadu Buhari — 2015–2023
External debt rose from $10.3 billion to $42.9 billion → +$32.6 billion increase.
Total public debt jumped from ₦12.06 trillion to ₦87.38 trillion → 620% increase.
Massive borrowing driven by budget deficits, infrastructure projects, and ₦22.7 trillion Ways & Means financing.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu — 2023–present
Has borrowed heavily, but not yet more than Buhari in total external debt.
External debt increased by about $9.4 billion from May 2023 to Dec 2025.
Naira depreciation makes Tinubu’s borrowing appear larger in naira terms, but dollar-denominated figures show Buhari still leads.
Goodluck Jonathan — 2010–2015
External debt increased moderately from $3.5 billion to around $10.3 billion by 2015 (inherited by Buhari).
Borrowing levels were significantly lower than Buhari’s.
Olusegun Obasanjo — 1999–2007
Achieved major debt relief; external debt fell from $28 billion to $2.11 billion.
Obasanjo is the only president who significantly reduced Nigeria’s external debt.
Summary Table: Borrowing by Nigerian Presidents (1999–2025)
President External Debt Change Total Public Debt Change Verdict
Obasanjo ↓ from $28B → $2.1B ↓ overall Reduced debt
Yar’Adua/Jonathan ↑ modestly ↑ moderately Moderate borrower
Buhari ↑ from $10.3B → $42.9B ↑ from ₦12T → ₦87T Largest borrower
Tinubu ↑ by ~$9.4B so far ↑ sharply (naira impact) Heavy borrower, but not more than Buhari (yet)
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