Nigeria’s total public debt stands at N152 trillion, just over $100 billion,” Edun said
Nigeria's total public debt has climbed to approximately N152 trillion, equivalent to just over $100 billion, according to recent statements by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. This figure, reported as of mid-2025 (with the latest official Debt Management Office data from June 30, 2025, showing N152.40 trillion), has sparked public debate on fiscal sustainability. However, Edun emphasized during his keynote address at the launch of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) 2026 Macroeconomic Outlook Report in Lagos on January 15, 2026, that the increase is largely not due to reckless new borrowing. Instead, the surge stems from improved fiscal transparency and exchange rate reforms implemented under the current administration. Key breakdowns include: About N30 trillion represents previously unrecorded or off-balance-sheet "Ways and Means" advances (central bank financing to the government) that have now been properly captured ...