The Senate on Wednesday began scrutiny of President Bola Tinubu’s request to secure $7.7bn (N10.79tn) external loan, referring the proposal to its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for detailed consideration.

The proposed borrowing, which forms part of the Federal Government’s financing plan for the 2026 fiscal year, is expected to contribute to funding a budget deficit estimated at N31.4tn, further placing government borrowing and growing debt obligations under legislative and public scrutiny.

Tinubu’s request, contained in a letter dated October 26, 2026, and addressed to the President of the Senate, sought the National Assembly’s approval to raise N10,790,366,835,481, equivalent to $7,707,404,882.49, using the budget exchange rate of N1,400 to the dollar.

The letter was read during Wednesday’s plenary, following which the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, referred the request to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts and directed it to report back as soon as practicable.

The proposed $7.7bn external borrowing represents the foreign component of the N29.2tn new borrowing provision contained in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

According to the President, the approved borrowing plan comprises N18.4tn in domestic loans and N10.79tn in external financing to part-finance the country’s projected N31.4tn budget deficit.

“The 2026 Appropriation Act approved the sum of N29.2tn as new borrowings to part-finance the 2026 budget deficit of about N31.4tn,” the letter stated.

Explaining the rationale for the request, Tinubu said the proposed borrowing complied with Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2003, which require external borrowing proposals to be submitted to and approved by the National Assembly.

The President disclosed that the Federal Government would explore several financing options simultaneously, taking into consideration borrowing costs, the benefits of each option and the time required to access the funds.

However, he indicated that Eurobond issuance would receive greater attention because of its relatively faster processing time and capacity to generate substantial funds.

“In view of this, emphasis will be on the issuance of Eurobonds, which is typically faster to conclude. Additionally, a larger amount can be raised through Eurobonds at a relatively lower cost in respect to the terms and conditions of the Eurobond,” he stated.

Other financing options identified in the letter included concessional and commercial loans from multilateral and bilateral institutions, facilities from the International Monetary Fund, bridge financing arrangements from book runners, loan syndications and direct borrowing from international financial institutions.

Tinubu, however, acknowledged that the final interest rates, repayment periods and other loan conditions would depend on prevailing market conditions when the financing arrangements are concluded.

He assured lawmakers that the Ministry of Finance and the Debt Management Office would work together to secure the most favourable terms for the country.

“The final terms and conditions, interest rate and tenors can only be determined at the time of pricing. They will all be subject to market conditions prevailing at the time.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance and the Debt Management Office will ensure that Nigeria secures the best terms and conditions within the context of the market,” the President said.

On the proposed utilisation of the funds, Tinubu said the external borrowing would support critical projects and programmes captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

He identified defence and security, transportation, agriculture, power, education and healthcare as priority sectors expected to benefit from the financing.

The President argued that the additional funds would provide the resources required to execute key budgetary programmes while consolidating the macroeconomic reforms and gains recorded by his administration.

He also made a case for the borrowing on the grounds that the foreign currency proceeds would contribute to Nigeria’s external reserves.

According to him, the funds would be received by the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the Federal Government, leading to an accretion to the country’s foreign reserves.

Tinubu said the anticipated increase in reserves would provide additional support for the naira and strengthen Nigeria’s external position.

Under the proposed resolution, the President is seeking authorisation to raise the N10.79tn, equivalent to $7.7bn, through one or more of the identified financing channels, with particular emphasis on Eurobond issuance.

Reacting to the request, the Senate President stressed the need for the Federal Government to negotiate favourable borrowing conditions and ensure that any agreement reached with prospective lenders would be beneficial to Nigeria.

He cautioned against accepting loan arrangements without adequately examining their economic implications and the country’s repayment obligations.

“So we have to go out there and search for the best terms, and that’s what they may call a win-win seller, win-win buyer approach,” the Senate President said.

He subsequently referred the request to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for detailed examination, directing the panel to submit its report as soon as practicable.

The committee is expected to scrutinise the proposed financing arrangements, available borrowing options and the terms under which the Federal Government intends to access the funds before the Senate takes a final position.

The latest request comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over Nigeria’s rising public debt, debt-servicing obligations and the increasing reliance on borrowing to finance annual budget deficits.

Although the Federal Government has consistently maintained that borrowing is necessary to bridge revenue shortfalls and fund critical infrastructure and development projects, concerns remain over the sustainability of the country’s debt profile and the capacity of borrowed funds to generate returns that justify their cost.

Source: punchng.com

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Democrats have seized control of both chambers of the United States Congress in a sweeping midterm election defeat for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, setting up two years of divided government and a more assertive challenge to his administration.

The victories in Tuesday’s elections, which included flipping at least seven Republican-held Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts, have handed Democrats control of the legislative branch for the first time since Trump returned to the White House.

The outcome represents a major reversal of fortunes for Republicans, who entered the election controlling both chambers, and gives Democrats the power to block legislation, scrutinise presidential appointments and launch investigations into the administration during the final two years of Trump’s term.

Democrats made decisive gains in states that had been considered safe Republican territory, including Texas, South Carolina, Kansas and Iowa.

They also captured Senate seats in Ohio, North Carolina and Maine, overturning the Republican majority that stood at 53 to 47 before the election.

In the House of Representatives, Democrats swept the key competitive races, with gains extending into traditionally conservative districts.

An Associated Press tally reported by Al Jazeera put the party at 228 seats won, with leads in another 34, leaving it on course for a potentially historic majority.

The scale of the defeat prompted an immediate reckoning within the Republican Party, with House Speaker Mike Johnson informing aides that he would not seek to lead the party’s conference in the minority.

Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio has indicated that he will seek the leadership position, arguing that the party must adopt a more aggressive approach to its opposition role.

The election also exposed divisions within the Trump administration over the causes of the Republican collapse, particularly the unpopular war with Iran.

Vice President JD Vance blamed war, which has been described as a war of choice of the Trump administration, for the party’s losses, saying in a social media post: “The reason we lost is the war.”

He wrote: “If you’d like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Agree or disagree, that’s at least honest. But everyone knows why we lost.”

His comments marked a notable departure from Trump’s defence of the military action. The President said Vance’s assessment was “largely true” but insisted that, given the choice, he would not have changed his decision.

However, preliminary ABC News voter polling suggested that the election backlash extended beyond the war.

Fifty-five per cent of House voters said government corruption was crucial to their vote, while 49 per cent identified the cost of living and 34 per cent cited the Iran war.

Democratic leaders have promised to use their new congressional majority to challenge the administration’s policies and intensify oversight of the executive branch.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become Speaker, described the result as an “American tsunami”, saying: “The days of the House of Representatives functioning like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump administration are over.”

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also signalled a more confrontational approach, saying the party’s priorities would include reducing living costs and tackling corruption.

Trump, however, said he was willing to accept the election outcome and work with Democrats, despite his previous efforts to cast doubt on electoral integrity.

The Democratic gains extended beyond Congress to state governments, with the party making significant advances in gubernatorial and other down-ballot contests.

Republicans retained Florida, where Trump ally Byron Donalds won the governorship, but lost ground in several states previously considered Republican strongholds.

With some closely contested races still being counted, the final congressional seat totals remain subject to change. The transfer of control in both chambers, however, marks a decisive setback for Trump and raises the prospect of sustained congressional scrutiny of his administration.

Source: punchng.com

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Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has called for stronger collaboration between his administration and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to improve healthcare delivery and tackle the circulation of counterfeit drugs.

Soludo made the call on Tuesday while declaring open the 99th Annual National Conference of the PSN at the International Convention Centre, Awka.

Welcoming delegates to the state, the governor described Anambra as “Nigeria’s pharmaceutical headquarters”.

The conference, tagged “Ijele 2026”, has the theme, ‘One health, One pharmacy: Bridging knowledge, practice and policy for national impact’.

Soludo said pharmacists played a vital role in building a healthy and productive society, urging the professional body to work with the state government to strengthen regulation and ensure safe pharmaceutical practices.

He said, “We urge pharmacists to join hands with the state government in cracking down on fake and counterfeit drugs. We also call on the leadership to police members’ operations and eliminate fake shops posing as registered pharmacies.

“Human capital remains Anambra’s greatest asset. Our major strides in public education, where reforms and free schooling from kindergarten to secondary level have slashed the out-of-school children rate to 0.25 percent, the lowest in the country.”

The governor also highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery, including the revamp of primary healthcare centres and a free antenatal care programme.

He said the programme had served more than 250,000 pregnant women and supported over 900 free caesarean section deliveries.

Soludo added that work was ongoing on a dedicated pharmaceutical hub in Oba, alongside a Coordinated Wholesale Centre expected to be completed early next year.

Earlier, the President of the PSN, Ayuba Ibrahim, recalled his previous pledge to host the society’s flagship national conference in Anambra.

Ibrahim also noted that his earlier prediction of Soludo’s electoral victory had materialised, while expressing appreciation to the governor for his support for the pharmacy profession.

The society later presented an excellence award to Soludo in recognition of his support for pharmacy practice in Anambra and beyond.

The pharmaceutical sector plays a critical role in Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in the production, distribution and dispensing of medicines.

However, the circulation of fake and substandard drugs, unlicensed medicine outlets and poor regulatory compliance remain concerns for public health

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria regulates the training and practice of pharmacists, as well as the registration of pharmacy premises, while the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control oversees the regulation of medicines and other regulated products.

Source: punchng.com

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