The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has debunked a viral Facebook report where she allegedly criticized the Nigerian government over the country’s current debt of N121trn.
In a disclaimer on X on Monday, the former Nigerian Finance Minister warned against a scheme to exploit her name for political purposes.
The Debt Management Office (DMO), last week, said Nigeria’s total public debt stock, including external and domestic debts, increased by ₦24.33 trillion in three months alone, from ₦97.34 trillion ($108.23 billion) in December 2023 to ₦121.67trn in March 31, 2024.
However, the viral Facebook post claimed Okonjo-Iweala expressed shock at Nigeria’s debt reaching N24 trillion in just two months despite the removal of fuel subsidies.
The fake post quoted Okonjo-Iweala as saying, “Nigeria’s debt for the first time in history has risen to N24 trillion in just two months even after removing subsidy is something unbelievable.
“I called several times to help and advise but the current administration and cabals refuse to let me come in. How can you remove fuel subsidy with a debt of 24 trillion in two months.”
Reacting to the fake report on Monday, the former Nigerian Finance Minister posted on her X platform;
“THIS IS IMPORTANT- It appears that there are people in Nigeria trying to use my name and image on social media to fight battles on different sides of the political divide, putting words in my mouth that I never said. Therefore, I want to alert everyone that the message below (above ) is FAKE. This is a stern warning to all those trying to misuse my name for their political ends that I will continue to rebut any attempts to use my name and image falsely!”
