{
  "id": 2928619,
  "title": "Atiku to Tinubu: Nigerians Deserve Transparency on $5bn Abu Dhabi Loan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/atiku-to-tinubu-nigerians-deserve-transparency-on-5bn-abu-dhabi-loan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T02:44:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/08/24/atiku-to-tinubu-nigerians-deserve-transparency-on-5bn-abu-dhabi-loan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to demand transparency from the Tinubu-led APC government regarding its growing debt. In a recent statement, Atiku accused the current administration of incompetence and financial impropriety, particularly in relation to the $5 billion loan agreement with First Abu Dhabi Bank. He emphasized the need for full disclosure of how these funds will be utilized, warning that unchecked borrowing could burden future generations with unsustainable debt. Since taking office in May 2023, the Tinubu administration has increased the nation's debt by N72 trillion, raising the total to N159.35 trillion as of early 2026. Despite these borrowings, poverty levels have worsened, rising from 56% in 2023 to between 61% and 63% under the Tinubu administration. Atiku criticized Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele for refusing to disclose details about the Abu Dhabi loan, stating that the government is obligated to explain every loan taken on behalf of Nigerians. He noted that the federal government has pledged securities worth about 133% of the loan amount as collateral, underscoring the importance of transparency. International bodies, including the International Monetary Fund and Fitch Ratings, have raised concerns about the financing structure, highlighting risks to transparency and sovereign debt sustainability. Atiku called on the Nigerian people to hold the government accountable, stating that borrowing without clear results undermines trust and jeopardizes the nation's economic future.",
  "summary": "Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former vice president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to demand accountability from the Tinubu-led APC government",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}