Nigeria’s public debt profile rose sharply to N159.27 trillion at the end of 2025, reflecting mounting fiscal pressures and increased borrowing by both federal and subnational governments.

The latest figures released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) show an increase of N14.6 trillion compared to N144.67 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, and a N5.98 trillion rise from the N153.29 trillion posted at the end of the third quarter of 2025.

According to the DMO, the debt stock comprises both domestic and external obligations of the federal government, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

A breakdown indicates that domestic debt stood at N84.84 trillion, while external debt was put at N74.42 trillion, underscoring the continued reliance on both local and foreign borrowing to finance budgetary gaps.

The agency noted that domestic debt rose significantly from N74.38 trillion in December 2024, marking a 14.1 per cent increase, while external debt climbed by N4.14 trillion within the same period.

The Federal Government accounted for the bulk of the liabilities, with domestic debt estimated at N80.48 trillion, while states and the FCT recorded a marginal increase to N4.36 trillion.

On the external side, the Federal Government’s debt stood at N66.26 trillion, with subnational governments accounting for N8.15 trillion.

The DMO said the figures were computed using the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official exchange rate of N1,435.25 to the dollar as of December 31, 2025.

The rising debt comes amid fresh borrowing plans by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who recently sought National Assembly approval for external loans totalling $6 billion.

In a request conveyed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the president outlined plans for a structured total return swap financing arrangement of up to $5 billion from First Abu Dhabi Bank in the United Arab Emirates.

Analysts warn that while borrowing remains critical for infrastructure and development financing, the rising debt burden raises concerns over sustainability, debt servicing costs, and fiscal stability in the medium term.

The Federal Government has issued a fresh flood warning across Nigeria, recalling the devastating impacts of previous incidents, as it unveiled the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) projecting widespread inundation in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

At the public presentation in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, said memories of past flood disasters—marked by loss of lives, displacement of communities, and destruction of farmlands and infrastructure—underscore the urgency of early preparedness.

The outlook, released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, listed high-risk states to include Bayelsa State, Delta State, Adamawa State and Kebbi State, alongside 29 others, with over 14,000 communities in 266 local government areas projected to experience severe flooding.

Utsev warned that the forecast must not be treated as routine, noting that previous flood seasons left a trail of humanitarian crises and economic setbacks across the country. “Early information saves lives, protects livelihoods and reduces losses,” he said, stressing that forecasts must translate into concrete action at community level.

The minister disclosed ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s hydrological monitoring systems and deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to improve the accuracy and timeliness of flood predictions.

Representing President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the flood outlook aligns with the administration’s broader push for climate resilience and sustainable development.

According to the report, moderate flood risk is expected in 35 states, while flash and urban flooding will hit major cities including Port Harcourt, Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja, largely due to poor drainage systems and increasing rainfall intensity.
Coastal and riverine flooding is also anticipated in states such as Rivers State, Cross River State and Ogun State, driven by rising sea levels and tidal surges, with potential consequences for fishing, transportation and coastal livelihoods.

Director-General of NiHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said the 2026 forecast marks a shift toward advanced flood risk intelligence, incorporating hybrid AI-driven modelling to improve accuracy and response time. He added that the agency has upgraded its flood dashboard into a real-time decision-support system, alongside a mobile application to disseminate alerts more effectively.

Also speaking, Director-General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, noted that flooding remains one of the most persistent climate-related threats in Nigeria and across Africa, despite technological progress in forecasting.
The government called on state and local authorities to integrate flood risk into urban planning, strengthen drainage infrastructure, and enforce proper land-use practices, particularly in flood-prone areas.

“Preparedness remains the most effective strategy,” Utsev said. “If we fail to act on these warnings, we risk repeating the painful losses of the past.”

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called for enhanced collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen security for corps members and protect NYSC facilities nationwide.
Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the police have remained a critical partner in the successful implementation of NYSC programmes since inception, stressing that sustained collaboration is vital to safeguarding corps members deployed across the country.

Nafiu, while congratulating the IGP on his appointment and the inauguration of his special team, urged the police to ensure “maximum security of corps members and NYSC officials within and outside orientation camps.”

He also called for improved protection of corps members, their property and corps lodges nationwide, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections, a period he noted requires heightened security vigilance.

The NYSC boss further raised administrative concerns over exemption certificates, referencing provisions of the NYSC Act that exempt members of the armed forces and paramilitary agencies from national service. He sought collaboration with the Nigeria Police Academy to facilitate the issuance of exemption certificates to its graduates in line with statutory requirements.

In his response, Disu assured the NYSC of the police’s continued support, affirming the Force’s commitment to the security of the scheme and its personnel.

He disclosed that addresses of all corps lodges are already with the police to enable swift response when necessary, and welcomed the proposal regarding exemption certificates for graduates of the Police Academy.

The IGP reaffirmed the commitment of the police to deepen cooperation with the NYSC in the interest of national security and the protection of youths participating in the scheme.

The Federal Government is set to arraign Paganengigha Anagha, younger brother of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, alongside three others over their alleged links to a 2025 coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
The arraignment is scheduled to hold today at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Those to be docked with Anagha include Sylva’s driver, Musa Mohammed; a plainclothes police officer, Ayuba Reuben; and an escort driver, Friday Lusa Paul.

Although details of the charges remain undisclosed, sources within the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice confirmed that proceedings would take place at Court 12 on April 14.

The case stems from allegations linking Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, to a failed coup attempt said to have been aimed at toppling the Tinubu administration in late 2025.

He was alleged to have acted as a major financier of the plot, with reports claiming that between N785 million and N46 billion traced to his accounts were channelled into the operation.

The controversy intensified in October 2025 when operatives, including personnel of the Defence Intelligence Agency, reportedly raided Sylva’s residences in Abuja and Bayelsa State, leading to the arrest of Anagha and others.

At the time, Sylva was said to be outside the country and allegedly moved across several countries, including Senegal and Argentina.

Investigations into the alleged plot also led to the detention of about 16 military officers accused of holding secret meetings to undermine the civilian government.

However, Sylva has consistently denied any involvement. His media aide, Julius Bokoru, described the allegations as politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his principal’s image ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that Sylva is a committed democrat and a supporter of President Tinubu, insisting that he had no role in any coup-related activities.

“Chief Timipre Sylva has no involvement whatsoever, either in planning or logistics with any such plot. He is a thoroughbred democrat,” Bokoru said.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had, in November 2025, declared Sylva wanted in connection with a separate $14.8 million fraud investigation.