Nigeria’s Foreign Debt Rises To $145.02bn In 2025 – World Bank

Nigeria’s foreign debt climbed to $145.02 billion by the end of 2025, representing a 6.6 per cent increase compared with the previous year, according to the World Bank’s International Debt Report 2026.

The latest figure highlights the continued rise in Nigeria’s external debt obligations amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to finance infrastructure, support economic activities and meet other financial commitments.

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World Bank Reports 6.6% Increase In Nigeria’s Foreign Debt

According to the report, Nigeria’s external debt stock reached $145.02 billion as of December 2025.

The 6.6 per cent increase indicates that the country’s foreign debt burden continued to expand over the reporting period.

External debt refers to money owed by a country’s government, businesses and other borrowers to creditors outside its borders.

Rising Debt Raises Questions About Nigeria’s Debt Sustainability

The increase is likely to renew discussions about Nigeria’s debt sustainability, foreign exchange obligations and the country’s capacity to service external loans.

Higher external debt can increase pressure on government finances, particularly when debt repayments are denominated in foreign currencies and revenue generation remains constrained.

The World Bank’s International Debt Report provides data and analysis on the external debt positions of developing economies.