Reported by Thlama Samuel Maina

The Federal Government has intensified its push for national connectivity as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially requested Senate approval for a $516.3 million loan from Deutsche Bank. The loan is designated for the execution of the first phases of the ambitious Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, over  1,000km project designed to link the Northwest and Southwest geopolitical zones.

The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is a flagship infrastructure goal intended to boost regional trade and security by connecting major agricultural hotspot in the North to the Atlantic ports in the South.

The President’s letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio specifies that the funds will cover Sections 1, Phase 1a and 1b.
This request follows the Senate’s recent approval of an increase in the 2026 National Budget to 68.3 trillion Naira ($49.4 billion), signaling a heavy focus on capital investments despite rising debt concerns.

Finance Minister Wale Edun and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning argue that these “catalytic” loans are necessary to modernise state assets and create a foundation for sustainable GDP growth, which is projected at 4.68% for 2026.

Economic analysts and some opposition members have raised concerns about Nigeria’s debt-servicing obligations, which currently consume a significant portion of the annual budget. They argue that while infrastructure is vital, the “cost of borrowing” must be balanced against immediate inflation relief for citizens.

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