Public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has called on the World Bank to apologise to Nigerians over alleged delays in the approval and disbursement of loans to the country.
Emmynet24 News reports that Shehu made the remarks on Sunday in a post shared on X while reacting to reports that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had expressed concerns over delays in accessing already approved loans.
According to Shehu, Nigeria has consistently maintained a strong willingness to borrow funds, while the World Bank has also remained eager to provide loans, making the reported delay unusual and suspicious.
“Nigeria is a serial willing borrower and the World Bank a serial loan giver,” he stated.
The commentator argued that the delay in disbursing approved loans could amount to a deliberate attempt to frustrate Nigeria’s economic recovery and political stability.
“Delay in disbursing approved loans appears to be a deliberate sabotage against a stabilized and fully recovered economy and polity,” Shehu added.
He further mocked the situation, describing it as unprecedented for a country eager to borrow to issue warnings to an institution equally willing to lend.
“A situation where an ever willing loan seeker is warning an ever willing loan giver must be recorded by the Guinness Book of Records,” he said.
Shehu also demanded an official apology from the World Bank on behalf of Nigerians, warning that failure to do so could result in legal action at the international level.
“The World Bank must apologize to all Nigerians for the delay which will affect our comfort level, otherwise we will file a class action at the World Court of Justice,” he declared.
He added that there would be no opportunity for an out-of-court settlement once legal proceedings commence.
“And the moment we file against them, there will be no room for out-of-court settlement,” he added.
Shehu further stated that the legal team for the proposed action would allegedly be led by Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
“Take note that our defence team will be led by the ever competent and patriotic Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, the attorney general of APC/NIGERIANS,” he said.
The comments have since sparked reactions online amid ongoing public debates over Nigeria’s rising debt profile and dependence on loans from international financial institutions.
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