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Nigerian govt borrows N2.54trn in three months as debt stock hits N38.005tn

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DMO: Domestic debt servicing increased by over N247bn in 2017

Nigeria’s public debt stock has increased by N2.5 trillion in three months to N38.005 trillion as of the end of the third quarter of 2021, Ms. Patience Oniha Director-General of the Debt Management Office, DMO disclosed on Tuesday.

In a press statement titled, ‘DMO publishes total public debt for Q3 2021’, and published on the DMO’s website, the debt agency said the total debt figure comprised total external and domestic debts of the Federal Government, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The statement read in part, “In line with its practice, the Debt Management Office has published Nigeria’s total public debt as at September 30, 2021”.

The data which includes the total external and domestic debts of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory, shows that Nigeria’s public debt was N38.005tn or $92.626bn at the end of Q3 2021.

The statement further said, “The increase of N2.540tn when compared to the corresponding figure of N35.465tn at the end of Q2 2021 was largely accounted for by the $4bn Eurobonds issued by the Government in September 2021.”

Read also: IMF says Nigeria debt to GDP ratio already risky

It added, “The issuance of the $4bn Eurobonds has brought significant benefits to the economy by increasing the level of Nigeria’s external reserves, thereby supporting the naira exchange rate and providing necessary capital to enable the Federal Government finance various projects in the budget.

“The triple tranche $4bn Eurobond, issued in September 2021, was for the implementation of the new external borrowing of $6.18bn in the 2021 Appropriation Act.”

The federal government has been criticised for going on a borrowing binge during the current administration.

The National Assembly has also directed the executive to look for alternative ways to boost revenue and reduce indebtedness.

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