Published by Alphapressmedia
As Nigeria continues its borrowing trajectory under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a troubling pattern is emerging — one that is particularly evident in the North-East:Projects are announced, loans are secured, but impact remains elusive.Borrowing Without Tangible Results
Nigeria’s increasing engagement with foreign lenders — including recent arrangements linked to the United Kingdom — has sparked renewed concern.At a time when citizens are battling:InflationEconomic hardshipLimited infrastructuremany are asking:Where are the results of these loans?
Kolmani: From National Pride to Lingering SilenceThe Kolmani Oil Field was once celebrated as a historic breakthrough — the first major oil discovery in Northern Nigeria.It promised:Economic transformationJob creationRegional industrial growthToday, however, the project appears largely dormant, with little visible progress on full-scale production.For many in Bauchi and Gombe,
Kolmani has become a symbol of:Unfulfilled promisesPolicy inconsistencyDelayed economic opportunityThe recent incident in Bauchi — where railway tracks were being removed under unclear authorization — adds another layer of concern.In a region already:Cut off from functional rail services
Struggling with connectivity the idea of dismantling existing infrastructure raises serious questions about coordination and priorities.
The role of the National Assembly of Nigeria has also come under scrutiny.While constitutionally empowered to approve borrowing and ensure accountability, public perception suggests:Limited resistance to executive requestsInsufficient transparency in loan approvalsWeak follow-through on project monitoring
This has fueled the narrative of a legislature that is not fully asserting its oversight responsibility.The North-East is not asking for special treatment — only fairness.After years of insecurity and economic disruption, the region needs:Functional rail connectivity
Revived strategic projects like KolmaniVisible impact from national borrowingAnything less risks reinforcing a sense of systemic neglect.Abandoned or slow-moving projects.
Weak infrastructureis not just an economic issue — it is a political and social risk.Public trust is eroded when expectations are repeatedly unmet.Nigeria cannot afford a cycle where:
Loans are taken,Projects are announced and outcomes are delayed indefinitely For the North-East, the stakes are even higher.The revival of projects like Kolmani and the restoration of infrastructure must move from promise to performance.
From Kolmani to the rail lines, the North-East is still waiting for promises to become progress.”
Abdulwahab Muhammad, writes from Bauchi.
