Every Nigerian Owes 724,000 Naira As Nigeria’s Whole Public Debt Raises To 159.28 Trillion Naira
The Nigeria’s complete public debt, which stood at N159.28 trillion as of December 31, 2025, interprets into a mean debt burden of about N724,000 per citizen, in response to an evaluation by Each day Belief.
In accordance with the report obtained by Politics Nigeria, the most recent information launched by the Debt Administration Workplace (DMO) signifies a gentle rise within the nation’s debt profile, largely pushed by elevated home borrowing.
The DMO’s figures exclude the not too long ago authorized N8.3 trillion borrowing from the United Arab Emirates and UK Export Finance, suggesting that the debt inventory might rise additional in subsequent experiences.
With Nigeria’s inhabitants estimated at about 220 million, the figures counsel that each citizen now carries a big share of the nationwide debt.
The debt inventory rose from N153.29 trillion in September 2025 to N159.28 trillion in December 2025, representing a quarter-on-quarter improve of N5.98 trillion (3.9 p.c). In greenback phrases, the debt rose from $103.94 billion to $110.97 billion inside the similar interval. On a year-on-year foundation, the general public debt elevated by N14.61 trillion (10.1 p.c), up from N144.67 trillion recorded in December 2024.
A breakdown of the figures exhibits that the nation’s home debt stays the biggest part, accounting for 53.27 p.c of complete public debt. It rose to N84.85 trillion in December 2025, up from N81.82 trillion in September 2025 and N74.38 trillion in December 2024.
The Federal Authorities holds the majority at N80.49 trillion; whereas states and the Federal Capital Territory account for N4.36 trillion. The development highlights Nigeria’s rising reliance on native borrowing to finance fiscal gaps.
The exterior debt stood at N74.43 trillion, representing 46.73% of complete debt. This marks a rise from N71.48 trillion in September 2025 and N70.29 trillion in December 2024. In greenback phrases, the exterior debt rose to $51.86 billion, with the Federal Authorities accounting for N66.27 trillion; and the states and the FCT, N8.16 trillion.
The continued enlargement of Nigeria’s debt profile has heightened issues over fiscal sustainability, particularly amid rising debt servicing obligations and strain on authorities income.
In its 2026 macroeconomic outlook report, the Central {Bank} of Nigeria (CBN) had projected a debt-to-GDP ratio of 34 per cent whereas international reserves are anticipated to rise to $51 billion. The debt-to-GDP ratio compares a rustic’s complete authorities debt to its Gross Home Product (GDP), displaying its means to pay money owed relative to its {economic} output.
Public debt as a proportion of GDP is projected at 34.68 per cent by end-2026, in contrast with 33.98 per cent as at June 2025, predicated on anticipated new borrowings,” the report had said.