CSOs, Youths Protest in Abuja, Demand End to Excessive Government Borrowing

Civil society groups, youths, students and market women have protested at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, calling on the Federal Government to reduce its reliance on borrowing.

The demonstrators, operating under the Climate Action platform, said the growing burden of public debt servicing was putting pressure on funding for essential services while limiting resources available to address poverty, unemployment and climate-related challenges.

Carrying placards, the protesters urged the government to reconsider further borrowing from institutions including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and other development finance organisations. They also demanded greater transparency in the management of Nigeria’s public debt.

Speaking for the protesters, ActionAid Nigeria Social Mobilisation Specialist, Newton Otsemaye, said the demonstration was intended to draw attention to the consequences of rising debt for future generations, particularly young Nigerians.

“Save the future of Nigerians. We have the largest young population in Africa, if not globally. But what are we doing with their future?” Otsemaye said, arguing that government resources should be directed towards improving the lives of citizens rather than being driven primarily by financial considerations.

He said the Finance Ministry was chosen because of its central role in managing the country’s finances and public debt. The protest brought together women’s groups, activists, young people and university students, who Otsemaye said were united by concerns about Nigeria’s debt profile.

The protesters also called for more government spending on sectors capable of improving livelihoods and expanding social protection. Otsemaye warned that continued pressure from debt obligations could affect poverty levels, employment opportunities and household livelihoods.

The demonstration comes as Nigeria continues to raise funds through domestic and international debt markets. The Debt Management Office maintains records of the Federal Government’s debt and debt-service obligations, including 2026 domestic debt-service data and recent Federal Government bond issuances.

The protesters are asking the government to provide clearer assurances about how borrowing will be managed and how public resources can be directed towards productive sectors and essential services. Their demands have placed debt sustainability and the use of borrowed funds back at the centre of public discussion.