A heated exchange has erupted between Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, and Rufai Oseni, popular ARISE Television anchor, over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.

The controversy began after Oseni shared an article suggesting that President Tinubu was responsible for the country’s rising debt. Reacting via social media, Onanuga fired back, describing the journalist as an “economic illiterate” who lacks understanding of how national borrowing works.

“You are an economic illiterate! All sovereign nations borrow money. Our borrowing has not breached the limit by the rule,” Onanuga wrote.

Oseni, however, responded calmly, urging Onanuga to debate with facts rather than insults.

“Dear Egbon Bayo, you don’t need to abuse me and call me economic illiterate because I stated Nigeria’s debt. Challenge me with facts,” Rufai replied.

“Love and respect despite your abuses. You can make your point without calling me names. Kindly provide a contrary fact that Nigeria is not owing ₦152 trillion.”

The online exchange has since sparked wide reactions from Nigerians, with many calling for more civility in public discourse between government officials and media personalities.