IMF Archives - Voice of Liberty NG

‘Rising food prices, insecurity to push millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty’ – IMF, WFP warns

July 10, 2026July 10, 2026 Aminu Imam

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening humanitarian and economic situation, warning that soaring prices of essential goods, insecurity and funding shortages could drive millions more Nigerians into poverty and hunger. In its July 2026 World Economic Outlook Update, the IMF said that although Nigeria’s economy is benefiting from improved macroeconomic stability and favourable terms of trade, the rising cost of essential commodities is expected to worsen poverty and food insecurity. The Fund maintained its growth forecast for Nigeria…

FG denies spending ₦8tr outside approved budget

July 6, 2026July 6, 2026 Aminu Imam

…Rejects IMF report The Federal Government has denied spending more than ₦8 trillion beyond the 2026 Budget, citing false information and misinterpretation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report. According to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who made this announcement in an issued press statement yesterday, said the claims, based on comments attributed to the IMF representative in Nigeria and the Fund’s report, incorrectly stated that approximately 2% of Nigeria’s GDP was spent outside of the approved budget. The…

IMF raises alarm over Nigeria’s unrecorded public expenditure

July 3, 2026July 3, 2026 Aminu Imam

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over unreported government spending in Nigeria, saying expenditure equivalent to about two percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was not captured in recent official budgets and implementation reports. IMF Resident Representative in Nigeria, Christian Ebeke, disclosed this on Wednesday, while speaking to business executives in Lagos. He said the omission had created a gap between Nigeria’s reported fiscal deficit and its actual financing needs. According to him, the discrepancy means the country’s deficit appears smaller on paper than the level…

IMF urges Nigeria to tax fuel, telecoms to boost revenue

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 Aminu Imam

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that Nigeria introduce taxes on fuel products and telecommunications services to raise government revenue, according to its 2026 Article IV Consultation report – even as Nigerians protest a worsening standard of living amid widespread insurgency. The IMF called for measures including raising the VAT rate, extending VAT to fuel, and introducing telecom excise duties, while cautioning that timing must account for rising poverty and food insecurity, and that cash transfer systems must first be in place. Both proposals face strong headwinds. A previous…

’27m Nigerians faced food insecurity in 2025 under Tinubu’ – IMF

June 11, 2026June 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

…As poverty rate hits 63% …Foreign debt to hit $72.6bn after 2027 polls The International Monetary Fund, (IMF), has revealed that poverty in Nigeria rose to 63% under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, while an estimated 27 million Nigerians experienced food insecurity during the latter part of 2025 despite improvements in key macroeconomic indicators. The Fund disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Washington, DC, USA, where it assessed Nigeria’s economic performance and reform efforts over the past three years. According to the IMF, although recent economic…

‘M’East war may push 20m Africans into food insecurity’ – IMF

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 Aminu Imam

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that a 20 per cent rise in international food prices caused by the war in the Middle-East could push more than 20 million people in sub-Saharan Africa into food insecurity and leave two million children under the age of five acutely malnourished. The warning came as the IMF said the conflict is threatening to derail the economic gains recorded across the region after sub-Saharan Africa entered 2026 with its strongest growth momentum in a decade. According to the IMF, the region recorded a…

IMF warns of tougher economic times for Nigerians

April 18, 2026April 18, 2026 Aminu Imam

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), has warned that Nigerians may face tougher economic conditions in the near-term, as rising food and transportation costs continue to squeeze household incomes amid lingering global shocks. The Fund also raised concerns about Nigeria’s growing debt burden, even as crude oil prices surged above $113 per barrel in the international market, offering potential upside for government revenue. The price rally, driven partly by uncertainties around US–Iran peace talks linked to Middle-East tensions, has created expectations of stronger oil earnings for Nigeria. At current levels, Nigerian…

IMF warns Nigeria on debt prudence, amid $6bn infrastructure loan approval

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 Aminu Imam

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged caution in managing external loans, as the Tinubu administration secures a $6 billion facility to accelerate infrastructure development in transport and energy sectors. Approved from a consortium of international lenders, the funding aligns with global trends from Asia and aims to modernize roads, railways, power grids, and more—boosting economic growth, job creation, and regional trade. Analysts highlight potential for enhanced manufacturing and FDI, but stress fiscal sustainability through concessional terms, transparent monitoring, and revenue-linked projects. Analysts suggest that this injection of capital will…

IMF cautions Nigeria on rising debt, oil dependence

October 26, 2025October 26, 2025 Aminu Imam

Nigeria found itself on a tightrope at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, where its reform efforts earned recognition while underlying vulnerabilities raised serious concern. According to the IMF’s ‘World Economic Outlook and Fiscal Monitor’, Nigeria’s growth forecast for 2025 was upgraded to 3.9 percent, up from 3.4 percent in July, due to stronger domestic fundamentals, improved oil production, and rising investor sentiment. Despite the positive outlook, the IMF flagged persistent risks for Nigeria’s economy. It warned that rising debt-servicing costs and…

CISLAC seeks debt cancellation, reforms at IMF, W’Bank

October 23, 2025October 23, 2025 Aminu Imam

Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, has raised a red flag over Africa’s deepening fiscal crisis, calling for urgent reforms in global financial governance and African debt management. Speaking at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington D.C., Rafsanjani described Nigeria’s debt trajectory as unsustainable and reckless, with most of the country’s borrowings being used for recurrent expenditure rather than productive investments. ‘Most of the loans we…