In recent times, Nigerians have asked critical questions that deserve honest answers: Have we stopped borrowing What benefits have the masses derived from subsidy removal? How much of our debt have we paid?
As a civic and political elevation group committed to Sanity Across All Sectors Nationwide, the 36 POLITICAL ELEVATION GROUP, 36 PEG, under the leadership of Prince Dan Olaitan Dada, President, believes that democracy thrives when questions are asked and answered with facts, data, and evidence on ground, not with sentiments or propaganda.
A wise man once said, “When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.” Today, we answer with both policy and evidence.
BORROWING: FROM CONSUMPTION TO PRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT ACROSS ALL ZONES
No responsible government anywhere in the world can halt borrowing overnight and still deliver critical infrastructure, pay salaries, guarantee security, and fund healthcare and education. The reality of nation-building demands capital.
Even the world’s most advanced economies borrowed heavily at their development stages. The United States, United Kingdom, China, and others all used debt to build railways, power plants, roads, and industries. What made them reduce borrowing over time was simple: they built productive assets, grew their economies, and increased their Internally Generated Revenue until they could fund more from within. As we say, “You cannot eat your seed and still expect harvest.” That is the same path Nigeria is now on.
What has changed under this administration is transparency and direction. Borrowing is no longer for consumption or to fund recurrent leakages. It is now tied to productive sectors and projects cutting across all geopolitical zones that grow the economy and create jobs for Nigerians.
The evidence is visible nationwide:
Roads and Bridges: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in the South, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway in the North West, Second Niger Bridge access roads in the South East, and ongoing road and bridge interventions in the North East to reconnect communities.
Power: The Siemens Power Deal targeting 25,000MW, ongoing National Grid upgrades, Presidential Power Initiative, and the solarization of schools, hospitals and federal institutions across the six zones.
Agriculture and Food Security: Dry season farming initiatives under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme, NALDA projects, renewed mechanization drive, and grain release from strategic reserves to stabilize food prices in the North Central, North East and other food baskets.
Transport: The rollout of CNG buses, establishment of Compressed Natural Gas conversion centers in major cities nationwide, rehabilitation of rail lines linking East, West and North, and port modernization to ease cost of goods.
Digital Economy and Youth: The 3MTT Skills Program, the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme, the reboot of NPower, and the expansion of broadband infrastructure to connect more Nigerians to opportunity.
Latest Evidence: The deployment of 10,000 Electric Vehicles in the North-East under the supervision of the Ministry of Regional Development and the North East Development Commission, NEDC, led by Engr. Abubakar Momoh and MD Mohammed Goni Alkali.
The focus is clear and deliberate: Borrow to build, not to consume. Build assets that generate revenue. And build everywhere, not in one place.
SUBSIDY REMOVAL: STOPPING THE BLEEDING, REINVESTING IN THE PEOPLE
The removal of fuel subsidy was painful, but it was necessary. For over 30 years, the subsidy regime operated as a conduit that enriched smugglers, cabals, and even neighboring countries more than it benefited ordinary Nigerians. “If you continue to patch a leaking roof, the whole house will one day collapse.”
The savings from that painful but bold decision are now being redirected to the people through targeted programs:
Wage Award and New Minimum Wage implementation to cushion the impact on workers.
Nigerian Student Loan Scheme with zero collateral to ensure no child is denied education because of finances.
Social Investment, including Conditional Cash Transfers and MSME grants to support the most vulnerable and small businesses.
Increased FAAC Allocations to States, which have tripled, enabling governors to embark on more projects at the state and local level.
Direct Investment in Healthcare and Education Infrastructure across the federation, including revitalization of primary health centers.
CNG and Electric Mass Transit to reduce transportation costs nationwide and provide cheaper alternatives to petrol. The latest proof is in the North-East, which is already receiving BYD electric taxis, high-capacity buses, and industrial passenger tricycles that carry up to 9 passengers. No petrol. No diesel. Just charge and move.
This North-East EV project is the clearest evidence yet. When drivers no longer spend heavily on petrol and diesel, operating costs fall. When operating costs fall, transport fares can come down. When transportation becomes cheaper, the prices of food, goods and other essential services can also begin to feel the difference. That is how government policy touches the pocket of the common man.
We acknowledge that results take time to manifest fully. But one thing is certain: the leakages have been blocked, and the money is now going where it should.
DEBT PAYMENT: SERVICING, REFORMING, AND REDUCING RELIANCE
Debt servicing continues monthly as scheduled and as due. Nigeria remains committed to honoring its obligations. A good name is better than riches.
Beyond servicing, the government is taking deliberate and strategic steps to reduce reliance on borrowing in the long term:
Tax Reforms to widen the tax net, improve collection efficiency, and block leakages.
Growth in Non-Oil Revenue through customs modernization, digital taxation, and diversification of the economy.
Asset Optimization and reduction of wasteful expenditure across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Infrastructure for the Future: Charging stations, maintenance workshops, and solar power infrastructure are being built alongside the vehicles. This project is also creating jobs for our youth in assembly and maintenance.
The ultimate goal is to grow Internally Generated Revenue, depend less on borrowing, and progressively reduce our debt burden so that future generations are not overburdened.
CONCLUSION: FACTS OVER FRUSTRATION
Governance is a process. Criticism is a right and a necessity in democracy. But let us criticize with solutions, with data, and not with anger. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and every step must be counted.”
The next time anyone asks “what is government doing?”, let us point them to evidence across the country. From Lagos-Calabar in the South, to Sokoto-Badagry in the North West, from the Second Niger Bridge in the South East, to new roads in the North East, and now to 10,000 Electric Vehicles moving in the North East. The future is no longer a promise hidden in an exhibition hall. The future has already arrived.
Renewed Hope is now moving on three wheels and four wheels. That is, on motorcycles, tricycles, taxis and buses that Nigerians use daily for transport and commerce.
Nigeria belongs to all of us. As citizens under the Sanity Brand Ecosystem, SBES, we must ask questions and demand accountability. At the same time, we must separate facts from frustration.
To be clear:
Loans are still ongoing, but with oversight and direct project linkage across all zones.
Subsidy has been removed to stop the bleeding. The savings are now funding states, wages, and mass transit.
Debt is being serviced. The plan is to increase IGR so we borrow less going forward.
36 PEG reaffirms its commitment to Sanity Brand Ecosystem: One Vision. Four Arms. One Goal. Sanity Across All Sectors Nationwide.
Sanity Must Be It. Structure. Clarity. Delivery.
