Nigeria is seeking parliamentary approval for a new 7.7-billion-dollar external borrowing plan to finance projects and programmes under its 2026 national budget. President Bola Tinubu's administration says the proposed borrowing will support its broader economic reform agenda, as the country continues to grapple with debt pressures, infrastructure gaps and rising development demands. To unpack the economic implications, the sustainability of Nigeria's borrowing strategy and what it means for ordinary Nigerians and the wider African economy, we spoke to Professor Wumi Iledare, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics and Executive Director of the Emmanuel Egbogah Foundation in Abuja.