Atiku Abubakar Critiques Tinubu's Vienna Bond Plan

On September 10, 2026, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenged President Bola Tinubu's administration to provide a public account of Nigeria's revenues, subsidy savings, and rising oil receipts before pursuing a financing arrangement in the Vienna bond market. In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed concerns about the transparency of the Vienna transaction involving ESME Limited, which includes Nigerian public institutions and Austrian interests.

He noted the lack of details regarding the deal's size, interest rate, repayment terms, and any sovereign guarantees. Diesel prices have surged to approximately ₦2,000 per litre, with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria reporting that related costs constitute over half of manufacturers' operating expenses.

Atiku highlighted that domestic borrowing has escalated to ₦24.7 trillion in the first eight months of 2026, up from ₦12.98 trillion in the same period of 2025, despite claims of improved finances. He called for the publication of the full structure of the Vienna transaction and a comprehensive reconciliation of revenues, expenditures, and guarantees.