Nigeria’s public debt reached N166.79 trillion by the end of June 2026, pushing the implied burden per citizen to N716,822, according to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Key takeaways
- The June 2026 debt stock represents an 87% rise in the estimated per-person liability from N383,442 three years earlier.
- Atiku criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic management as households face pressure from food, fuel and electricity costs.
- The debt disclosure comes as the federal government is reportedly pursuing an additional N1.5 trillion World Bank loan.
- Nigeria’s Debt Management Office reported total obligations of N166.79 trillion at the close of June 2026.
Debt burden rises
Atiku disclosed the figures in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu. The statement followed reports that the Nigerian government was seeking fresh World Bank financing worth N1.5 trillion.
The Debt Management Office reported that Nigeria’s aggregate debt stood at N166.79 trillion as of June 2026. Atiku said that, if the public debt were allocated equally across the population, every Nigerian would carry a notional share of N716,822.
He compared that figure with the N383,442 per-person burden recorded three years earlier, describing the change as an 87% increase.
Criticism of economic stewardship
Atiku argued that the debt trajectory reflects poorly on Tinubu’s handling of the economy. He said Nigerian families were already struggling to pay for basic necessities, including food, petrol and electricity, while government borrowing continued to expand.
He further said the administration had made present living conditions harder and increased uncertainty about the country’s economic future.
