Stop denigrating Tinubu with baseless sovereign debt alarm – Presidency cautions critics

The Presidency has cautioned Nigerians against denigrating President Bola Tinubu with baseless sovereign debt alarms.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President and his economic team were responsible leaders.

He was reacting to a post by @StatiSense listing Africa’s most indebted countries in 2026.

It posted: “Africa’s most indebted countries – 2026. Public debt as % of GDP.

“Sudan — 169.1%

“Senegal — 132.3%

“Mozambique — 106.1%

“Cabo Verde — 95.9%

“Republic of Congo — 91.3%

“Egypt — 87.0%

“Mauritius — 86.5%

“Gabon — 86.1%

“Tunisia — 84.9%

“South Africa — 78.9%

“Nigeria — 35.5%

“Several African economies carry public debt approaching or exceeding the size of their annual economic output.

“Sudan stands out at 169.1% of GDP, meaning its government debt is estimated at roughly 1.7 times the size of its economy. #Statisense (IMF).”

Reacting, Onanuga commended Tinubu and his economic team for the feat.

He posted on X: “Another stubborn fact for those whose stock in trade is to denigrate Nigeria and the Tinubu presidency and raise baseless alarms about our sovereign debt.

“Our country is not among Africa’s most indebted countries. Unlike the countries listed here, our debt burden is about 35 per cent of our GDP. Kudos to PBAT and the economic team for responsible leadership.”