Nigeria must increase federal revenue share or transfer more responsibilities to states, says Zrosk CIO
N
Nairametrics
Reported by Israel Ojoko
Sun, 1 Nov 2026, 13:04
Photo courtesy of Nairametrics · Verified via News Stand NG
Source Attribution: Nairametrics
News Stand NG operates under ethical news aggregation guidelines. Source: Nairametrics. To read the unabridged investigative reporting and full gallery, visit the original publication.
Why the Federal Government Continues to Borrow Esemuede argued that the Federal Government’s borrowing needs are largely driven by a mismatch between the revenue available to it and the responsibilities it is expected to discharge. Nigeria must either increase the Federal Government’s share of national revenue or transfer some of its responsibilities to state governments to address its persistent fiscal challenges, according to Samson Esemuede, Chief Investment Officer at Zrosk Investment Management Ltd. Esemuede made the observation during the latest edition of the Drinks and Mics podcast, hosted by Ugo Obi-Chukwu, where he examined the country’s borrowing requirements, revenue allocation and the growing cost of government obligations.
Context & Background
✦And then in order for the federal government to live up to its obligation, it needs to borrow a lot,” he said.
Key Figures & Named Entities
2026:His comments come amid President Bola Tinubu’s request to the Senate for approval of a supplementary external borrowing plan of $20.52 billion and €1.05 billion for 2026–2027 to finance infrastructure and development projects across the country.2027:Lagos food prices: Maize, ogbono and garri record sharp increases in OctoberDangote companies pay N104.74 billion in taxes in 9 monthsWorld Bank warns energy costs could drive food prices 7% higher in 2027 According to him, the Federal Government generates insufficient revenue to meet its obligations, forcing it to rely heavily on borrowing to finance expenditure.2026:Tinubu’s $20.52bn Borrowing Plan Raises Questions Providing context for the proposed borrowing, Obi-Chukwu explained that the President’s request to the National Assembly covers external financing of $20.52 billion and €1.05 billion for the 2026–2027 period.
Outlook & Next Steps
Follow original publisher reporting for subsequent developments, official responses, and verified updates.
Key Takeaways
Verified Extract
✦Why the Federal Government Continues to Borrow Esemuede argued that the Federal Government’s borrowing needs are largely driven by a mismatch between the revenue available to it and the responsibilities it is expected to discharge.
✦Nigeria must either increase the Federal Government’s share of national revenue or transfer some of its responsibilities to state governments to address its persistent fiscal challenges, according to Samson Esemuede, Chief Investment Officer at Zrosk Investment Management Ltd. Esemuede made the observation during the latest edition of the Drinks and Mics podcast, hosted by Ugo Obi-Chukwu, where he examined the country’s borrowing requirements, revenue allocation and the growing cost of government obligations.
✦And then in order for the federal government to live up to its obligation, it needs to borrow a lot,” he said.
Key Facts:2026: His comments come amid President Bola Tinubu’s request to the Senate for approval of a supplementary external borrowing plan of $20.52 billion and €1.05 billion for 2026–2027 to finance infrastructure and development projects across the country.2027: Lagos food prices: Maize, ogbono and garri record sharp increases in OctoberDangote companies pay N104.74 billion in taxes in 9 monthsWorld Bank warns energy costs could drive food prices 7% higher in 2027 According to him, the Federal Government generates insufficient revenue to meet its obligations, forcing it to rely heavily on borrowing to finance expenditure.2026: Tinubu’s $20.52bn Borrowing Plan Raises Questions Providing context for the proposed borrowing, Obi-Chukwu explained that the President’s request to the National Assembly covers external financing of $20.52 billion and €1.05 billion for the 2026–2027 period.$20 billion: “If Nigeria is trying to raise $20 billion, they’re going to say we need power, we need infrastructure.
Editorial Excerpt
Nigeria must either increase the Federal Government's share of national revenue or transfer some of its responsibilities to state governments to address its persistent fiscal challenges, according to Samson Esemuede, Chief Investment Officer at Zrosk Investment Management Ltd.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is the latest development regarding National Assembly of Nigeria?
Why the Federal Government Continues to Borrow Esemuede argued that the Federal Government’s borrowing needs are largely driven by a mismatch between the revenue available to it and the responsibilities it is expected to discharge.
Who are the key organizations or public figures mentioned?
The primary parties identified in this coverage include National Assembly of Nigeria, Tax Reform & Fiscal Policy, Lagos State.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
His comments come amid President Bola Tinubu’s request to the Senate for approval of a supplementary external borrowing plan of $20.52 billion and €1.05 billion for 2026–2027 to finance infrastructure and development projects across the country.