Nigeria’s total debt is set to hit an all-time high of N136 trillion, following fresh request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly to approve N1.77 trillion (approximately $2.2bn) external borrowing plan in support of the 2024 budget.
The president conveyed his request in a letter written to Senate Presidet Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and read by the presiding officers during plenary, on Tuesday.
The president explained that the borrowing would partly finance the projected N9.17 trillion budget deficit for the fiscal year.
According to the letter, the borrowing aligns with Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (DMO) Act, 2003, and was previously approved by the Federal Executive Council.
The total new borrowing for 2024 stands at N7.83 trillion, with N6.06 trillion allocated for domestic borrowing and N1.77 trillion for external borrowing.
The president’s letter outlined three potential financing options to raise the required funds which include issuance of Eurobonds, Sovereign Sukuk and Bridge Finance/Syndicated Loans.
The president said the debut issuance of Sovereign Sukuk worth $500 million is being considered, with credit enhancement from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group.
Speaking on the fresh borrowing plan, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, during a briefing after the FEC meeting, stated that it comprises Eurobond and Sukuk offerings, valued at $1.7 billion and $500 million, respectively.
He added that Nigeria’s ability to access the international capital market indicates acceptance and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms.
How president borrowed N50 trillion in 19 months
Nigeria’s total debt stood at N87.3 trillion when President Tinubu assumed office on May 29th, 2023.
By June 2024, the total public debt had hit N134 trillion, a whopping new borrowing totaling N46.7 trillion.
Nigeria recently achieved a milestone with its first-ever domestic dollar bond, which was oversubscribed by 180% in September. Initially aiming to raise $500 million, the government finally secured $900 million in commitments which translate to N1.5 trillion new borrowing which is yet to reflect on the Debt Management Office dashboard.
When computed, in addition to the new request, the present total borrowing in 19 months since assuming power comes to over N50 trillion.
Mounting debt service burden
Nigeria’s debt servicing expenses reached N6.04 trillion in the first half of 2024, marking a sharp increase of 68.8 per cent from the N3.58 trillion recorded during the same period in 2023, the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed.
This sharp rise in debt service obligations, likely driven by naira devaluation for foreign debt repayments, reflects the growing burden on the government as debt repayment consumes a significant portion of its financial resources.
Nigeria’s debt composition in the first half of 2024 was made up of 53% domestic debt and 47% external debt.
Similarly, Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio crossed 50% for the first time in 2024 as debt repayment in 2024 exceeds both recurrent and capital expenditure.
A cursory look at the MTEF revealed that by 2025, capital expenditure will make up 34.44 per cent of the total budget, slightly higher than the 32.11 per cent allocated to debt servicing.
Debt servicing in 2025 will cost N15.38 trillion, while capital expenditure will receive N16.48 trillion.
By 2026, debt servicing is projected to increase by 0.9 per cent to N15.52 trillion, with capital expenditure dropping by 3.28 per cent to N15.94 trillion.
By 2027, the disparity will further widen as debt servicing climbs to 37.2 per cent of total spending, while capital expenditure accounts for 31.51 per cent.
Utilisation of funds
On the utilisation of the funds, the president said it would support key projects in priority sectors, including power, transport, agriculture, and defense.
He said the proceeds will also bolster external reserves through deposit into the Central Bank of Nigeria’s account, thereby stabilising the Naira.
Tinubu has also forwarded the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) 2025-2027 to the National Assembly and the National Social Investment Programme Establishment Amendment Bill, to make the social register the primary tool for the implementation of the federal government’s social welfare programmes.
He said the 2025- 2027 (MTEF&FSP) was approved during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of 10th November, 2024.
Tinubu urged the National Assembly to note that the 2025 budget of the federal government would be prepared based on the parameters and fiscal assumptions of the approved 2025-2027 (MTEF&FSP), hence, it was “imperative to seek National Assembly’s expeditious legislative action on this submission.”
In another letter, the president transmitted the National Social Investment Programme Agency (Establishment) (Amendment) Bill 2024 for consideration by the National Assembly.
He said the bill was transmitted pursuant to Section 58(2) of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
“The purpose of the bill is to make the National Social Register the primary targeting tool for the implementation of social investment programmes of the government.
“This will ensure our social welfare programmes are data driven and implementation processes are transparent, targeted, dynamic and effective in delivering social protection benefits to vulnerable Nigerians”, he said.
He requested expeditious consideration of the request.
Experts react
In a recent statement, the World Bank expressed concern over the escalating debt service costs that are burdening developing countries worldwide. Indermit Gill, the World Bank’s Chief Economist, and Senior Vice President, emphasised the gravity of the situation, highlighting the potential for a widespread financial crisis if immediate and coordinated actions are not taken.
According to Gill, the combination of record-level debt and soaring interest rates has set many developing nations on a precarious path, one that could lead to economic distress and tough decisions regarding the allocation of resources.
Also reacting to the rising debt profile, the Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Muda Yusuf, criticised the increasing debt burden, citing insufficient revenue capacity and ongoing infrastructural deficits as major concerns.
Speaking on the issue, the Senator representing Ondo South senatorial district, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim stated that the amount intended to be borrowed is too insignificant for any progress to be made in the economy.
“Nigeria, as a developing country has about 50 per cent of debt to GDP which is too low because developed countries like the United Kingdom have 95 per cent and the US has 103 per cent. Also Dubai borrowed about $160bn to develop infrastructure and the country now is one of the biggest tourist destinations
“Therefore, for me, Nigeria needs to borrow more to develop infrastructure because about $2 billion that we are borrowing is too small which is why I had earlier said that we need to borrow more,” he said.
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