Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the National Assembly’s approval for a fresh external borrowing plan of N1.767 trillion to part-finance the N9.7 trillion budget deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
The proposal was presented during Tuesday’s plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, signaling another effort by the administration to bridge fiscal gaps.
Additionally, the president submitted the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), alongside an amendment to the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) establishment bill. This amendment aims to solidify the social register as the principal tool for delivering federal social welfare initiatives.
The request comes amid rising concerns over Nigeria’s foreign debt servicing costs, which have surged dramatically in 2024. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reports that the Federal Government spent $3.58 billion on debt servicing in the first nine months of 2024, a staggering 39.77% increase from the $2.56 billion recorded during the same period in 2023.
Key highlights include:
A 398.89% spike in January 2024 payments compared to January 2023.
A record $854.37 million paid in May 2024, marking the highest monthly debt servicing cost for the year.
The CBN attributed the trend to rising exchange rates and global economic pressures, further exacerbating Nigeria’s debt obligations.
States Struggle with Debt Burden
Debt challenges extend beyond the federal level, as sub-national governments grapple with increasing liabilities. The Debt Management Office (DMO) reported that total state debt rose to N11.47 trillion by June 2024, reflecting a 14.57% increase from December 2023.
Despite this, domestic debts for states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) slightly declined, falling from N5.86 trillion to N4.27 trillion. However, external debts soared, driven largely by the naira’s devaluation, which saw the exchange rate plummet from N899.39/$1 in December 2023 to N1,470.19/$1 by June 2024.
Lagos Leads Revenue and Debt Rankings
Lagos State remains both the highest revenue generator and most indebted sub-national, contributing N1.24 trillion in revenue in 2023, while also holding 26.9% of Nigeria’s foreign debt at $1.24 billion.
The fiscal reliance of many states on federally allocated revenue has been a consistent trend, with 32 states depending on FAAC receipts for at least 55% of their total revenue in 2023, according to BudgIT’s 2024 State of States report.
President Tinubu’s borrowing request underscores Nigeria’s growing reliance on loans to meet fiscal demands amid dwindling revenues and rising global economic uncertainties. However, with public concerns about debt sustainability mounting, experts warn of the long-term implications of ballooning foreign debt and call for aggressive economic reforms to diversify revenue streams.
As the National Assembly deliberates the proposal, Nigerians await the outcome, knowing the decision will shape the country’s fiscal trajectory in 2024 and beyond.