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Tinubu’s reforms ended governors’ dependence on borrowing for salaries – Akpabio
Tinubu’s reforms ended governors’ dependence on borrowing for salaries – Akpabio
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday declared that state governors no longer need to borrow money to pay workers’ salaries, crediting the change to the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during his address to lawmakers as the Senate resumed plenary after a two-month, two-week recess, Akpabio commended the President’s policies, noting that they have begun to stabilize the economy and improve the financial autonomy of state governments.
“I can confidently say that through the engineering of President Bola Tinubu and his team, no state government today is borrowing to pay salaries. So, for this, we say kudos to the administration,” he said.
Nigeria has over the years relied heavily on loans from international financial institutions to finance infrastructure projects.
In May, President Tinubu sought the National Assembly’s approval to borrow $21.5 million and ¥15 billion, along with a €65 million grant.
The government claimed the funds will be used to support key infrastructure and security projects, including the expansion of power grids and transmission lines, development of irrigation systems to strengthen food security, installation of a nationwide fibre optics network, procurement of fighter jets to boost national security, and enhancement of rail and road infrastructure across the geopolitical zones.
Similarly, many state governments have, over time, resorted to borrowing to pay workers’ salaries. For instance, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya revealed that between 2013 and 2019, the previous administration in the state borrowed about ₦1.3 billion monthly to meet salary obligations.
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Under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Salary Bailout Facility (SBF), several states also obtained loans to offset wage arrears.
According to a Nairametrics report, 31 state governments collectively borrowed ₦457.17 billion through the SBF to pay salaries. States such as Imo, Kogi, Kano, Edo, Benue, and Osun were among those listed.
In addition, reports show that between January and June 2023, state governors borrowed about ₦46.17 billion from three commercial banks, Access, Zenith, and Fidelity to pay salaries.
For example, Access Bank recorded an outstanding balance of ₦58.84 billion in state salary bailout facilities as of June 30, 2023, down from ₦101.81 billion in December 2022.
However, since the removal of fuel subsidy, reports indicate that allocations to state governments have tripled in some cases.
President Tinubu has argued that the policy has significantly improved the financial standing of state governments.
Supporting this claim, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani disclosed that before the subsidy removal in May 2023, the state had to borrow to pay salaries, but it can now meet its wage obligations without borrowing and even operate with a surplus.
The improved revenue has enabled some states to raise workers’ salaries above the ₦70,000 national minimum wage. Lagos and Rivers now pay ₦85,000, while Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Niger, and Bayelsa pay ₦80,000 to their workers.
In his address, Mr Akpabio commiserated with victims and families affected by recent tragedies across the country.
“Our country has walked through both shadow and sunshine while we were away. We grieve with the families who lost their loved ones in the cruel boat tragedy on the Niger River in Kogi State, and in the bloody outrage at a mosque in Katsina.
“We mourn also the 12 forest guards slain in Oke-Ode, Kwara State, cut down while protecting our environment — martyrs of service who remind us that insecurity knows no boundaries,” he added.
Mr Akpabio also sympathised with victims of flooding in Bayelsa, Sokoto, Zamfara, and other states.
“We commiserate with our compatriots across the flood-ravaged states of Bayelsa, Sokoto, Zamfara and others, as the 2025 flood season continues to uproot lives and destroy livelihoods.
“We urge urgent coordination between the federal and sub-national governments to mitigate these devastations before they become annual calamities. To every home afflicted by these disasters, insecurity, hunger, and hardship, we extend to them the hand of fellowship and the prayer of comfort. We promise them that we shall not flinch from the duty of relief and redress for our people.
“While our hearts grieve, our hopes endure because of glimmers of progress. Nigeria’s oil production has climbed toward 1.8 million barrels per day, driven by reforms and renewed investor confidence. We must ensure that this blessing does not become another fleeting windfall, but a foundation for fiscal discipline, infrastructure renewal, and job creation,” he said.
Tinubu’s reforms ended governors’ dependence on borrowing for salaries – Akpabio
News
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has instituted a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of spreading malicious sexual harassment allegations that he says have severely damaged his public image.
According to documents filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Akpabio is seeking substantial damages, public retractions, and nationwide broadcast apologies. He argues that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s televised, radio, and online interviews portrayed him as a sexual predator who abused his office for personal gratification—claims he insists subjected him to widespread ridicule and reputational harm.
The lawsuit includes a comprehensive statement of claims and a list of witnesses. Akpabio is also asking the court to compel the removal of all online materials containing the disputed allegations and to order repeated public apologies across major media outlets.
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A court order issued on 6 November 2025 granted permission for substituted service through the Clerk of the National Assembly after initial attempts to reach Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan directly were unsuccessful. The case is now moving forward and is expected to become one of the most closely watched political legal battles in Nigeria.
Responding on 5 December 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receipt of the suit and expressed readiness to defend her allegations before a competent court. She stated that she had previously been prevented from presenting a petition before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges due to claims that a related case was already in court—an action she believes protected the Senate President from legislative scrutiny.
In a strongly worded response, the Kogi Central senator maintained that the court proceedings will finally provide the platform to substantiate her claims. She reiterated her stance that she experienced sexual harassment and that her refusal to comply with the alleged advances prompted sustained political retaliation.
“See you in court, Godswill Akpabio,” she declared.
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
News
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it will no longer remain passive as criminal gangs intensify violent attacks across the country, declaring its readiness to hold a national day of mourning and mobilise nationwide protests over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the country was “under siege,” condemning the latest school kidnapping and the reported withdrawal of security personnel before the attack. He demanded a full investigation to expose any possible compromise within the nation’s security architecture.
“The NLC cannot stand idly by and allow criminals to take over our country—never again. We want to know who ordered the withdrawal of security operatives from that school. We will not allow kidnappers and bandits to overrun our nation,” Ajaero said.
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He stressed that the labour movement would soon announce details of the planned protests and national mourning, insisting the lives of teachers, students and workers were in grave danger. “It is getting out of hand. We can no longer bear this,” he added.
Ajaero also revealed that the NLC had withdrawn its representatives from the Labour Party, accusing them of pursuing personal interests rather than representing workers.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who addressed the meeting, warned that the country was in “serious trouble” over rising kidnappings and attacks. He rejected calls for foreign military intervention, cautioning that such a move would undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Falana criticised recent statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing them as unacceptable. He urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to protect citizens, saying: “We want to let the world know that we are not a conquered people.”
He called on labour unions, civil society organisations and Nigerians to prepare to resist any further decline in national security.
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
News
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, describing her as a “future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom” during his visit to Nigeria for the Imo State Economic Summit 2025.
Speaking in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his efforts to boost economic development and improve security, noting that he felt “perfectly safe” despite earlier warnings about Nigeria’s security situation.
Johnson highlighted the state government’s push to deliver 24-hour electricity, stressing that reliable power and clean, sustainable energy are essential for economic growth as the world moves into an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future.
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He also emphasized the strong historical and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, praising the exchange of goods, services, and highly skilled professionals between both countries.
In a humorous remark that sparked applause, Johnson said: “We send you former UK prime ministers, and you send us future UK prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.”
The summit, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, business mogul Aliko Dangote, and other top government and private-sector leaders, focused on strategies to accelerate Imo State’s economic transformation.
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
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