In recent days, social media in Nigeria has been abuzz with claims that the nation's debt has skyrocketed to an unprecedented 24 trillion Naira within just two months, despite the removal of fuel subsidies. Adding to the controversy, some posts alleged that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization and a prominent former Nigerian finance minister, disclosed this alarming information and criticized the current administration for the sharp debt increase. However, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has firmly refuted these claims, calling the circulating messages "fake."
On her verified Twitter account, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala issued a strong rebuttal to the misinformation, emphasizing that she had not made any such statements about Nigeria's debt. "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," she tweeted. "Therefore, I want to alert everyone that the message below 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!"
The spread of these false narratives highlights the challenges of navigating misinformation in the digital age, particularly in a politically charged environment like Nigeria's. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala's clarification serves as a critical reminder to the public and media to verify information before dissemination, especially when it involves respected figures and sensitive topics such as national debt.
Critics said, Nigeria's economic situation is indeed complex. The removal of fuel subsidies, aimed at reducing fiscal strain and redirecting funds to critical sectors, has been a contentious policy. While intended to stabilize the economy, such measures can have short-term impacts that are sometimes misrepresented or misunderstood by the public.