Social media users have reacted to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s claim that each Nigerian now bears an equivalent debt burden of N716,822.
Atiku, through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, had raised concerns over Nigeria’s N166.79 trillion total debt stock as of June 2026, according to figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO).
He said the per-person debt burden had increased from N383,442 three years ago to N716,822, representing an 87 per cent rise.
The statement has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some users expressing concern over the country’s rising debt and others questioning Atiku’s criticism of the current administration.
Reacting to the development on X, Allwell Daniel, using the handle @allwell_CFC, wrote: “We are cooked….1.5bn yet nothing to show for it.”
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Another user, Olaiya Taofeek, criticised the Tinubu administration over its handling of the country’s health sector while questioning whether the government could address Nigeria’s broader challenges.
“Tinubu dey use foreign medical services, and you still believe say he go fix Nigeria for you?! … The guy wey no fit fix the health sector, wan come fix Nigeria?” he wrote.
A user identified as Praise Gorge also reacted to the political dimension of Atiku’s comments, writing that “the rebellious VP calling out Tinubu is crazy”, while adding that Atiku could have performed worse if he were in government.
Another X user, @AjSqi68116, expressed concern over what they described as the country’s increasing debt and lack of visible improvements in infrastructure and public services.
“Tinubu loans is too much for God’s sake, no development, no improvement, no light, no good road, no good health care, no better school, and country economy is very high,” the user wrote.
The user also referenced the 2027 general election, adding: “2027 is close by sha.”
The reactions come amid renewed debate over Nigeria’s borrowing and debt management, following the reported increase in the country’s total debt stock and the Federal Government’s plans to seek additional financing.
While some commenters focused on the rising debt burden and the state of public infrastructure and services, others directed their reactions at the political implications of Atiku’s criticism ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
