₦airaland Forum

A social media storm erupted after Rufai Oseni, a prominent Nigerian journalist and Arise TV anchor, expressed skepticism about the reported clearance of Nigeria’s debt by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

On May 8, 2025, Oseni posted on X, stating he was “yet to see a full release by IMF” on the matter, prompting a sharp reaction from Daddy D.O, an aide to President Bola Tinubu. Daddy D.O fired back, accusing Oseni of being perpetually miserable about positive news concerning Nigeria, adding, “May his bitterness never end.”

The controversy stems from a Nigerian NewsDirect report on May 7, 2025, which claimed that the IMF confirmed Nigeria’s clearance of all legacy debts, a milestone hailed by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as a “critical turning point” for the nation’s economic trajectory.

Here is what he wrote on his official X handle

a milestone hailed by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as a “critical turning point” for the nation’s economic trajectory.

Wow!

Rufai always talks bad when good things happen, Tinubu is working and clearing the IMF debt shows things are getting better.

How many threads of imf will tinubu supporters open. This shows how desperate they are looking for something to call as tinubu achievement

One has to take everything with a pinch of salt...

The government has shown their capabilities in propaganda!

nedu666:
How many threads of imf will tinubu supporters open. This shows how desperate they are looking for something to call as tinubu achievement

How many have you read? Were you forced to read them?

Rufai is a journalist and shouldn’t be attacked for expressing doubts about a report that he is not sure of the verifiable facts. Even ordinary Nigerians like me expressed doubts. Not because we detest good news from Nigeria but because we want it genuine.

And how did it go? Nigeria has yet to complete full payment. It will continue payments till 2029. So, why blame the heaters who doubt and not the propagandists.

jchioma:
Rufai is a journalist and shouldn’t be attacked for expressing doubts about a report that he is not sure of the verifiable facts. Even ordinary Nigerians like me expressed doubts. Not because we detest good news from Nigeria but because we want it genuine.

And how did it go? Nigeria has yet to complete full payment. It will continue payments till 2029. So, why blame the heaters who doubt and not the propagandists.

No, Rufai is not a trained journalist, he's a graduate of animal anatomy. He won't have to ride on a bike before factchecking on IMF website.

Indeed, Rufai has been feeling miserable lately

Someone that arranged fake Bishops can also arrange fake debt clearance.

Even if u dont like the government, when they perform for good for the betterment of the country its good opposition parties commend the government, nothing bad there, that does not make u not critique them on other things.

If u dont see any thing good about this government they why are your reporters in government house to report, na only bad news u dey expect, thats not good.

Ok, noted.

Noted.

Any good news about Nigeria always make Arise News guys especially Rufai sad. They always find a way to criticise and badmouth every good news coming out from Tinubu's government. Of course yes, majority of Nigerians don't like Tinubu but we have no option we have to pray, support and put hope in our country.

Arise tv OAP not a trained journalist!

jchioma:
Rufai is a journalist and shouldn’t be attacked for expressing doubts about a report that he is not sure of the verifiable facts. Even ordinary Nigerians like me expressed doubts. Not because we detest good news from Nigeria but because we want it genuine.

And how did it go? Nigeria has yet to complete full payment. It will continue payments till 2029. So, why blame the heaters who doubt and not the propagandists.

You mean the same Rufai who studied ANIMAL HISBANDRY in school, the G&H USEFULIDIATS, according to una goddess, lietasha

zero8zero:
Here is what he wrote on his official X handle

Thankfully the good news of daily free bread palliative instead of well paying jobs promised, makes us happy in Isale Eko.

Glimpsetv:
A large crowd of Lagosians was filmed in a long queue struggling to collect a loaf of bread. To maintain order, several military personnel were on the ground to control the crowd. This has triggered a lot of reactions online.

Watch the video, share your thoughts in the comments.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYltMapDyIo?si=0-hO0Vt5C9uBxVd1

jchioma:
Rufai is a journalist and shouldn’t be attacked for expressing doubts about a report that he is not sure of the verifiable facts. Even ordinary Nigerians like me expressed doubts. Not because we detest good news from Nigeria but because we want it genuine.

And how did it go? Nigeria has yet to complete full payment. It will continue payments till 2029. So, why blame the heaters who doubt and not the propagandists.

Rufai is an animal scientist and not a journalist. OAP would be a better description for him

Let's take to correction after the real journalist explanation on who a journalist is

they all NEED AIDES both RUFAI n CO, make UN put dem for LIST

DOES IT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE CITIZEN? WHAT DID THEY USED THE MONEY BORROWED FOR? ANY IMPROVEMENT HERE?

DOES IT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE CITIZEN? WHAT DID THEY USED THE MONEY BORROWED FOR? ANY IMPROVEMENT HERE?
I JUST DON'T GET IT

Tinubu's aids are cooking up lies and propaganda daily. Make them show us Tinubu's achievements but they won't, cause there is none

Peter Obi clearly way ahead of them. That's why they can't stop mentioning his name. Did he ask them to be incompetent and self-centred? So why are they having inferiority complex

The same Tinubu's aid that posted a fake global economy data
Our problem is that we joke too much in this county. Tinubu's aid my foot

SoftSport:
Rufai always talks bad when good things happen, Tinubu is working and clearing the IMF debt shows things are getting better.

Things may be getting better in the illusionary world of half-informed ebilokan followers, but well informed Nigerians are worried about the increasing debt despite subsidy removal, devaluation and worsening economy of extreme poverty, hyperinflation, unemployment, corruption and insecurity.

What is the wisdom in borrowing at higher interest from sundry lenders to pay off IMF concessionary loans

dododawa1:
Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N144.67tn ($94.23bn) as of December 31, 2024, representing a 48.58 per cent increase compared to N97.34tn ($108.23bn) recorded at the end of December 2023.

The Debt Management Office disclosed this in its latest report on the country’s public debt profile, which was released on Friday.

The report also revealed a quarter-on-quarter rise of 1.65 per cent from the N142.32tn ($88.89bn) recorded at the end of September 2024, highlighting the continuous increase in the nation’s debt burden during the final quarter of the year.

An analysis of Nigeria’s public debt on a year-on-year basis showed an increase of N47.32tn, representing a 48.58 per cent rise from December 2023 to December 2024.

The surge in public debt was primarily driven by significant increases in both external and domestic borrowings.

Nigeria’s external debt increased by 83.89 per cent from N38.22tn ($42.50bn) in December 2023 to N70.29tn ($45.78bn) in December 2024.

The sharp rise was attributed to new external borrowings and the impact of naira depreciation, which raised the naira equivalent of dollar-denominated debt.

Domestic debt also rose by 25.77 per cent from N59.12tn ($65.73bn) at the end of December 2023 to N74.38tn ($48.44bn) in December 2024.

The Federal Government’s domestic debt component grew significantly from N53.26tn to N70.41tn, reflecting a 32.19 per cent increase.

This growth indicates the government’s continued reliance on local borrowing to finance budget deficits and infrastructure projects.

In contrast, the domestic debt owed by states and the Federal Capital Territory dropped from N5.86tn to N3.97tn, representing a decline of 32.27 per cent.

This reduction points to a more cautious approach by some subnational governments towards debt accumulation during the year.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, Nigeria’s total public debt increased by N2.35tn, translating to a 1.65 per cent rise from N142.32tn as of September 30, 2024.

According to the DMO, the increase was driven by both external and domestic debt components. External debt rose by N1.4tn, moving from N68.89tn ($43.03bn) as of September 2024 to N70.29tn ($45.78bn) in December.

This was influenced by new foreign loans acquired in the last three months of the year, alongside the further weakening of the naira.

On the domestic front, debt rose slightly by 1.29 per cent from N73.43tn ($45.87bn) in September 2024 to N74.38tn ($48.44bn) by the end of December.

The Federal Government’s domestic debt increased from N69.22tn to N70.41tn within the quarter.

However, domestic debt attributed to states and the FCT decreased from N4.21tn to N3.97tn, reflecting a 5.69 per cent drop.

As of December 2024, external debt made up 48.59 per cent of Nigeria’s total public debt, while domestic debt accounted for 51.41 per cent, indicating a relatively balanced debt structure.

However, the rise in external borrowings points to a growing reliance on foreign debt to bridge budgetary gaps.

The breakdown of external debt shows that the Federal Government accounted for N62.92tn ($40.98bn), while states and the FCT held N7.37tn ($4.80bn).

In the domestic debt segment, the Federal Government held N70.41tn ($45.86bn), with states and the FCT accounting for N3.97tn ($2.58bn).

The rise in public debt has raised concerns among economic analysts regarding Nigeria’s fiscal stability.

The sharp increase, particularly in external debt, highlights the nation’s vulnerability to exchange rate fluctuations and changes in global economic conditions.

With the continued depreciation of the naira, the cost of servicing foreign debt could escalate, adding pressure on the country’s financial resources.

They won't wait to see list if they hear that Nigeria is failing but the reverse is the case when they hear of success.

Be like we dn dey chop statistics
Tinubu ejoor nw, let helinues see food to eat