Shehu Seeks World Bank Apology Over Loan Delays

Public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu has called on the World Bank to issue an apology to Nigerians over what he described as persistent delays in the approval and disbursement of loans, warning that failure to do so could result in legal action.

Shehu made the demand in a statement on Sunday, expressing concern that the delays have negatively impacted development efforts across key sectors of the Nigerian economy. According to him, funds expected to support infrastructure, healthcare, and social programmes have been held up, slowing down critical projects.

He argued that the situation has placed additional strain on government planning and execution, particularly at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic challenges and requires timely financial support from international partners.

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The commentator further alleged that the delays may amount to a breach of obligations, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability in dealings involving public funds and international financing agreements.

Shehu warned that if the World Bank fails to acknowledge the concerns and offer an apology, affected stakeholders may be left with no option but to explore legal avenues to seek redress.

He also urged Nigerian authorities to take a more proactive stance in engaging with the global lender to ensure that future agreements are honoured without unnecessary setbacks.

While the World Bank is yet to officially respond to the allegations, the development adds to ongoing scrutiny of international financial institutions and their role in supporting economic growth in developing countries.

Analysts say the outcome of the situation could influence Nigeria’s future engagements with global lenders, especially as the country continues to seek funding for major development projects.