# Nigeria's Debt Rises to $145bn

> World Bank reports Nigeria's external debt up 6.6% to $145bn in 2025.
- Title: Nigeria's Debt Rises to $145bn · Premium Times Nigeria
- Summary: World Bank reports Nigeria's external debt up 6.6% to $145bn in 2025. Nigeria's external debt increased to $145.015 billion in 2025, a 6.6% rise from 2024…
- Keywords: nigeria, world bank, external debt, debt to exports, debt service, debt ratios, multilateral creditors, bilateral creditors, private creditors, debt transparency, Premium Times Nigeria
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/923441-nigerias-external-debt-up-6-6-to-145bn-in-2025-world-bank.html
- Author: Omotoyosi Idowu
- Published: 2026-11-07T11:41:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nigeria, world bank, external debt, debt to exports, debt service, debt ratios, multilateral creditors, bilateral creditors, private creditors, debt transparency, news, politics
## World Bank Debt Report
Nigeria’s external debt increased from $83.21 billion in 2015 to $145.015 billion in 2025, a 74.3 per cent increase in 10 years.
## Debt Breakdown
Public debt: $62.4 billion; private non-guaranteed: $54.476 billion; short-term debt: $28.139 billion.
## Debt Service Burden
Debt service accounts for 19% of exports and 5% of GNI.
## Debt Ratios
External debt-to-exports ratio: 212%; debt as share of GNI: 51%.
## Bilateral Creditors
China: $5.672 billion; France: $774 million; other bilateral: $237 million.
## New Borrowing Terms
Official creditors: 25-year maturity, 1.9% interest; private creditors: 12-year maturity, 9.6% interest.
## Capital Market Return
Nigeria raised $2.3 billion through a dual-tranche international bond issue in 2025.
## Total Return Swap
Nigeria entered into a $5 billion Total Return Swap transaction in 2026 with a three-year maturity.
## Debt Transparency Concerns
World Bank warns rising debt stocks and debt-servicing obligations are putting pressure on developing economies.
## Debt Service Impact
Debt service burden reduces resources for infrastructure, jobs, education, healthcare, and development priorities.
## World Bank Statistician
Haishan Fu, Chief Statistician of World Bank Group, states debt transparency is a shared responsibility.
## Debt Service Burden
Debt service burden increased for a fifth consecutive year in 2025.
## Debt Transparency Message
World Bank emphasizes knowing debt terms is critical for sustainable growth and development.
## Debt Impact on Development
Rising debt service reduces resources for infrastructure, jobs, education, healthcare, and development priorities.
## Key takeaway

Nigeria's external debt increased to $145.015 billion in 2025, a 6.6% rise from 2024, according to World Bank data.