The World Bank has restricted comments on its Instagram page following intense reactions from Nigerians over a proposed $1.25 billion loan for Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The move came after a wave of public responses on the platform, where many Nigerians expressed concern about the country’s rising debt profile and continued reliance on external borrowing.
Social media users questioned the timing and necessity of the loan, with some demanding greater transparency on how the funds would be utilised and managed.
Others argued that Nigeria should reduce its dependence on foreign loans and instead prioritise domestic revenue generation and economic self-sufficiency, especially amid rising inflation and living costs.
The debate reflected broader public anxiety over the country’s fiscal direction, as citizens continued to grapple with high food prices, currency pressure and economic uncertainty.
In response, the federal government has defended its borrowing strategy, insisting that the funds were needed to support ongoing economic reforms, infrastructure development and social intervention programmes.
Officials maintained that such loans were part of broader efforts to stabilise the economy and stimulate growth.
Nigeria remained one of the largest recipients of World Bank financing in Africa, with successive administrations accessing multilateral loans for development projects, budget support and policy reforms.
