Prominent public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has described the World Bank as one of Nigeria’s biggest enemies, accusing the global lender of trapping the country in endless debt and worsening the suffering of ordinary citizens.

In a post shared on his X handle on Thursday, Shehu said the World Bank continues to approve loans for Nigerian leaders even when it is clear that such loans do not serve the interest of the people.

“The World Bank is among the biggest enemies of Nigeria because they keep granting loans to all Nigerian leaders,” he wrote. 

“They give out serial loans under harsh and inhuman conditions loans that only deepen poverty and turn us into perpetual slaves.”

Despite his strong criticism of the bank, Shehu admitted that its recent report on poverty in Nigeria revealed the harsh truth many government officials refuse to acknowledge.

“Yesterday, the enemy World Bank stated categorically that 139 million Nigerians are facing acute poverty. This is up by six million from last year’s figure of 133 million,” he said.

The activist criticized Sunday Dare, a former minister and close ally of President Bola Tinubu, for defending the government against the World Bank’s report.

“Sunday Akin Dare, who is a kitchen cabinet member of Tinubu and his spokesperson, reacted with a narrative to douse and counter the World Bank’s truthful position,” Shehu wrote.

He added that no amount of denial could erase the reality of suffering across the country.

He said Dare’s response will never make sense to millions of Nigerians living in abject poverty, dying from preventable diseases, and struggling to feed their families.

Shehu also highlighted the struggles of farmers and students, saying their living conditions reflect the depth of Nigeria’s poverty crisis.

“Farmers can’t go to their farms, students in tertiary institutions sleep ten in a room meant for two, eat one meal a day, and attend lectures under terrible conditions,” he said.

The commentator accused government officials of living in denial while controlling the nation’s wealth for personal gain.

“People like Dare, Anounuga, Alake, Wike, Cardoso, Edun, and Keyamo will never admit that 139 million Nigerians are in deep poverty because the national treasury is at their mercy,” Shehu claimed.

He ended his post with a warning, quoting a Yoruba hymn that speaks of Judgment Day, urging Nigerians to prepare for a time when justice would prevail.

“Before that day comes, 139 million poverty-stricken Nigerians are saying judgment day is coming,” he wrote. “Ojo nla kan mbo wa; a great day is coming.”

World Bank Nigeria’s greatest enemy – Mahdi Shehu on new report