A Labour Party leader in Benue State and member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon. Philip Agbese, has defended the Federal Government’s proposed $21.7 billion supplementary external borrowing plan, arguing that investments in critical infrastructure and the security sector justify the additional financing.

Agbese said the proposed borrowing should be assessed against the country’s infrastructure deficit, ongoing development projects and the need to strengthen security operations rather than viewed merely as an increase in public debt.

The lawmaker described the borrowing as strategic financing for productive national assets, insisting that the funds were intended to support long-term economic growth rather than recurrent expenditure.

Speaking amid public debate over the Federal Government’s 2026-2027 external borrowing proposal, he urged Nigerians and lawmakers to look beyond partisan considerations and examine the expected benefits of the projects to be financed.

He particularly cited allocations for transport infrastructure, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and major rail corridors, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to addressing the country’s infrastructure gaps.

“This is not borrowing for the sake of borrowing. It is investment in the future of Nigeria,” Agbese said.

“When you look at the allocation—over $10 billion for transport infrastructure alone, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and key rail corridors—you see a government deliberately creating assets that will generate long-term economic value far exceeding the cost of the loans.”

The opposition lawmaker also defended the allocation for defence and security, arguing that sustained investment in the country’s security architecture was necessary to tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

“The same applies to the significant portion dedicated to defence and security. Any serious nation prioritises the safety of its citizens.

“The Federal Government is putting resources behind the men and women in uniform so they can finish the job against bandits, terrorists and kidnappers,” he said.

Agbese pointed to ongoing road construction under the Ministry of Works, including sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway, as evidence of the administration’s infrastructure drive.

He also cited the commencement and delivery of sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alongside other road projects across the country, as examples of efforts to improve transportation networks.

On electricity, the lawmaker highlighted government approvals for the East and West Super Grid projects, saying investments in transmission infrastructure were necessary to address longstanding constraints in the power sector.

He argued that the proposed borrowing would also benefit state governments and the Federal Capital Territory, with a significant portion of the financing expected to support projects at the subnational level.

According to him, the financing structure would enable states to undertake critical development projects while strengthening infrastructure delivery across the federation.

“Look at what has been achieved in just over three years: major highways moving from paper to asphalt and concrete, rail lines advancing, and power infrastructure receiving the attention it has long been denied,” he said.

On security, Agbese said the Armed Forces had recorded operational successes against terrorists and bandits, including the neutralisation of insurgents, surrenders and rescue operations.

He maintained that additional funding would help security agencies consolidate the gains and improve their operational capacity.

The lawmaker also defended the proposed financing arrangements, noting that a substantial portion of the loans would come from multilateral and bilateral development partners at concessional rates.

He said the terms of the proposed facilities should be considered alongside the projects they would finance and the country’s capacity to service the debt.

Agbese dismissed criticisms that focus exclusively on the $21.7 billion headline figure, arguing that public debate should also examine the quality of the projects, financing conditions and expected economic returns.

He further maintained that reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, had created additional fiscal space for investment in infrastructure and other development priorities.

The Benue lawmaker urged members of the National Assembly, irrespective of political affiliation, to consider the national interest when deliberating on the borrowing request.

“Every progressive country borrows to build. What matters is whether the money creates lasting assets and strengthens national security. On both counts, this plan passes the test,” he declared.

He added that supporting infrastructure development and security investments should not be viewed strictly through the prism of party politics.

“We in the opposition must be honest enough to acknowledge progress where it exists. The people of Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo, like Nigerians everywhere, want better roads, reliable power and safer communities.

“The Federal Government is taking concrete steps in that direction, and supporting the necessary financing is the responsible thing to do,” Agbese said.