Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant on Civil Service Matters.

According to a statement by the Director of Press at the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Eno Olotu, the appointee, Alfred Abah, is a retired director of the Federal Civil Service.

The statement obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday noted that the HOS, Didi Walson-Jack, thanked Tinubu for the appointment.

Walson-Jack noted that Abah’s appointment is a historic milestone, marking the first time such a position has been created within the Nigerian Civil Service.

The statement read, “She emphasized that this strategic decision reflects the administration’s commitment to advancing ongoing reform efforts aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Civil Service.

“Mr. Alfred Abah, an accomplished administrator and a retired Director of the Federal Civil Service, brings with him a wealth of experience, deep expertise, and a solid reputation for integrity and professionalism. With over three decades of dedicated service in various key roles across the public sector, his track record speaks to his capability in driving reforms and fostering organisational excellence.

“The HCSF noted that, under the leadership of President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, the Nigerian Civil Service has witnessed transformative progress. These reforms have boosted the confidence of the Nigerian people in the government’s dedication to good governance and public service excellence.”

The Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu, has secured loans totalling $6.45 billion from the World Bank within just 16 months.

This total has surged following the recent approval of three new loans worth $1.57 billion for various development projects nationwide.

The latest loans are part of a broader trend, as the World Bank has approved no fewer than 36 loan requests to Nigeria, amounting to an eye-watering $24.088 billion over the last five years.

These funds address pressing issues such as infrastructure decay, unemployment, and social welfare, yet they raise concerns about Nigeria’s escalating debt profile and the sustainability of such financial commitments.

“While many Nigerians understand the need for borrowing due to limited resources, there is palpable frustration regarding past loans, which have yet to yield visible improvements,” said a concerned citizen.

With infrastructure decay persisting, the new loans for initiatives such as power generation ($750 million), women’s empowerment ($500 million), and girls’ education ($700 million) appear insufficient for addressing the nation’s urgent needs.

The World Bank’s recent approvals include $2.25 billion for economic stabilization and resource mobilization projects, with notable allocations for the Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Programme and climate resilience initiatives.

“These projects will significantly enhance human capital and build resilience against climate change, including floods and droughts,” a World Bank representative stated.

An analysis of the World Bank’s lending history reveals that Nigeria received loans worth $6.36 billion in 2020 alone, with subsequent years seeing varying loan amounts.

In 2021, the government secured $3.2 billion for six projects, while $1.26 billion was approved in 2022. The loan requests surged in 2023 to $2.7 billion and reached $3.82 billion in 2024, with more anticipated before year-end.

The ongoing debt crisis is becoming increasingly alarming. Data from the Debt Management Office indicates that Nigeria’s total debt owed to the World Bank stands at $15.59 billion as of March 31, 2024.

Furthermore, the country’s debt servicing costs skyrocketed to N6.04 trillion in the first half of 2024, marking a staggering increase of 68.8% from N3.58 trillion during the same period last year.

This surge is largely attributed to the depreciation of the naira, which has heightened the burden of foreign debt repayments.

Critics argue that the government’s focus on borrowing may not solve Nigeria’s chronic financial issues.

“We need to see real changes and benefits from these loans; otherwise, we are simply digging ourselves deeper into debt,” remarked an economist.

With debt repayment consuming a significant portion of national resources, the Tinubu administration faces a precarious balancing act between financing development and ensuring economic stability.

As the World Bank continues to approve substantial loans for Nigeria, the implications for the country’s economic future remain to be seen.

The need for transparency and accountability in the utilization of these funds is more crucial than ever, as citizens and analysts alike await the tangible benefits that these investments promise to deliver.

Former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi has said that he is angry with the way Nigerians are responding to the current economic challenges.

Amaechi made this known in an interview with Igbere TV.

The former governor of Rivers State also said he expected youths to storm different streets and protest against the high cost of living but he has not seen anything that shows that they are serious.

“People should be angry because you cannot see a group of people stealing your money without doing anything. I am really angry with the citizens because they are not doing anything.

“Look at what happened in Edo State, should any politician be campaigning in Edo State? See, some of us cannot afford to buy diesel again because it’s costly,” he said.

Amaechi served as the Minister of Transportation for nearly eight years during the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari.