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Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approached the National Assembly for approval of a fresh external borrowing plan totaling ₦1.767 trillion.

The loan, if approved, will help finance the ₦9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget.

The request was presented during Tuesday’s plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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Alongside the loan request, the president also submitted the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) for 2025–2027.

Additionally, Tinubu proposed amendments to the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) establishment bill, aiming to make the national social register the central tool for delivering federal welfare programs.

Debt Servicing Costs Skyrocket in 2024

Nigeria’s rising debt obligations have been brought into sharp focus with new data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The country spent $3.58 billion servicing foreign debt in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 39.77% increase from the $2.56 billion recorded during the same period in 2023.

May 2024 saw the highest monthly debt servicing payment at $854.37 million, a staggering 286.52% increase compared to May 2023.

The surge in debt servicing costs reflects a sharp depreciation of the naira, which weakened from ₦899.39/$1 in December 2023 to ₦1,470.19/$1 by June 2024.

Experts warn that the rising exchange rate and escalating international debt obligations place significant pressure on Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability.

State Debts Climb to ₦11.47tn by Mid-2024

The debt profiles of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to rise, reaching ₦11.47 trillion as of June 30, 2024.

This marks a 14.57% increase from ₦10.01 trillion in December 2023, according to data from the Debt Management Office (DMO).

External debt for states and the FCT climbed from $4.61 billion to $4.89 billion during this period.

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However, domestic debt decreased from ₦5.86 trillion to ₦4.27 trillion. Lagos State remained the most indebted in foreign currency terms, holding 26.9% of the total external debt, valued at $1.24 billion.

In naira terms, state debts rose by 73.46%, reflecting the impact of the naira’s devaluation on repayment obligations.

States Overly Dependent on Federal Allocations

A BudgIT report on fiscal sustainability has revealed that 32 out of 36 states relied on Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) transfers for at least 55% of their revenue in 2023.

Fourteen states were even more dependent, deriving over 70% of their revenue from FAAC allocations.

FAAC disbursements increased by 33.19% in 2023, reaching ₦5.4 trillion, contributing significantly to the total combined state revenue of ₦8.66 trillion for the year.

However, analysts have raised concerns over this heavy dependence on oil-driven federal allocations, warning of the financial risks posed by crude oil price shocks.

Lagos and Ogun States were exceptions, generating significant revenue internally and relying less on federal transfers.

Economic Implications

The federal and state governments’ growing reliance on borrowing and federal allocations signals deep fiscal challenges.

Analysts caution that President Tinubu’s proposed borrowing plan, combined with rising debt servicing costs and exchange rate pressures, may exacerbate Nigeria’s economic vulnerability.

 

 

Business

NGX Market Cap Falls to ₦163.65trn As All-Share Index Drops

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The Nigerian equities market closed Friday’s trading session on a negative note, with the All-Share Index declining by 0.38 per cent to close at 252,113.41 points.

According to the Nigerian Exchange Group’s Daily Market Snapshot for Friday, September 25, 2026, equity market capitalisation stood at ₦163.65 trillion, representing a 0.01 per cent decline.

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The fixed-income market capitalisation also fell by 0.01 per cent to ₦58.74 trillion, while the market capitalisation of Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) declined by 2.15 per cent to ₦57.77 billion.

Meanwhile, the top five gainers were led by a stock that rose 10 per cent to close at ₦17.60, followed by CMFC, which gained 9.76 per cent to ₦3.26. Briscoe rose 9.74 per cent to ₦10.70, ABC Transport gained 9.68 per cent to ₦5.10, while Royal Exchange increased by 9.09 per cent to ₦1.08.

The figures were contained in the NGX Daily Market Snapshot released at the close of trading on Friday.

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NCDMB Woos Chinese Manufacturers

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NCDMB Emerges Best MDA In Ease Of Doing Business Ranking

More than 100 Chinese original equipment manufacturers are being wooed for investment, technology and manufacturing capacity to aid growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) made the disclosure through its Director, Project Certification and Authorisation Division and Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Austin Uzoka.

This was detailed in a statement issued by the Board which stated that Uzoka was representing the Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, at the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit in Chengdu, China, where he made the disclosure.

READ ALSO: NIPCO Moots $3bn Gas Project with Local Construction

According to Ogbe, the board was seeking to move the relationship between Nigerian oil and gas operators and Chinese manufacturers beyond the conventional buyer-seller model to investment, manufacturing, technology transfer and integration into global supply chains.

He said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act (NOGCDA) guaranteed patronage for oil and gas equipment manufacturing facilities established in Nigeria, adding that such investments could also provide access to opportunities across the Gulf of Guinea.

“We are looking beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. What can we build together? We want Chinese companies to see Nigeria not simply as a market for their products, but as a strategic investment destination, a platform for manufacturing and technology development, and a gateway to opportunities across the wider African market,” he said.

He highlighted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGPS) as a platform for Chinese original equipment manufacturers to establish manufacturing, assembly and service operations in Nigeria.

He said the scheme would provide opportunities for technology transfer, technical arrangements and the integration of Nigerian businesses into the supply chains of Chinese companies.

The ES also identified China’s capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure as areas that could support Nigeria’s industrial development.

“China has developed tremendous capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure. We want to explore how those capabilities can be connected with the opportunities that exist in Nigeria, for mutual benefits,” he added.

Nigeria’s local content policy had evolved from increasing Nigerian participation in oil and gas projects to a broader industrial development agenda focused on manufacturing, technology ownership and global competitiveness, he pointed out.

“Nigeria’s local content journey has evolved significantly since the local content law was enacted in 2010. What began primarily as an effort to increase Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry has developed into a broader industrial development agenda focused on building capabilities, deepening manufacturing, promoting technology ownership and positioning Nigerian businesses to compete within regional and global markets,” he observed.

The engagement formed part of Nigeria’s participation in the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit, held from September 20 to 23 at the Chengdu Century City International Conference Centre.

The summit, themed ‘Empowering Efficient and Green Development via Intelligent Technologies, Innovating to Lead the Shale Oil and Gas Revolution’, provided a platform for Nigerian oil and gas stakeholders to showcase investment opportunities in manufacturing, technology and oil and gas services.

According to the NCDMB, several Chinese OEMs expressed interest in exploring business relationships with Nigerian companies and participating in the country’s growing oil and gas manufacturing ecosystem.

In her closing remarks, the General Manager, Midstream, PCAD, Ms Lekoma Phimia, urged stakeholders to build on the connections established at the session to develop commercially viable and sustainable business relationships.

The NCDMB also used the exhibition to provide prospective investors and industry players with information on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, local content opportunities and avenues for establishing operations in the country.

The board said the Chengdu engagement was part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s international industrial connections and advance the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICDA).

It added that its focus was to move the local content agenda from participation to capability, manufacturing, and ultimately technology ownership and regional competitiveness.

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NIPCO Moots $3bn Gas Project with Local Construction

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NIPCO Group has announced plans to develop a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in Nigeria, with the proposed development estimated to require more than $3bn in investment.

This statement was made at a press conference on Thursday by the Managing Director of NIPCO Group, Nagendra Verma, who said the proposed project would have an envisaged LNG production capacity of approximately three million tonnes per annum, subject to the outcome of feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and a final investment decision.

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Verma said the project, which would mark NIPCO’s entry into the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector, was being considered for locations in the Escravos area of Delta State and the Akwa Ibom region.

“This proposed development is envisaged to comprise an FLNG facility along with associated marine and export infrastructure with the potential to serve both the international LNG market and growing domestic LNG demand in Nigeria. The proposed project is presently envisaged to produce LNG unified LNG of approximately 3 million L per annum, 3 million metric tons per annum. The proposed development is expected to represent a significant investment currently estimated in excess of $3bn.

“The final location shall be determined subsequent to the ongoing feasibility study. We are looking at strategic locations that will facilitate access to upstream gas resources, LNG processing, marine transportation and both international and domestic markets,” he said.

According to him, NIPCO had been evaluating the proposed FLNG project for the past six to nine months and was currently undertaking preliminary technical, commercial and feasibility assessments.

“We are considering various development concepts, technology solutions, financing structures and commercial options with a view to establishing a technically robust and commercially sustainable project,” Verma said.

He said the proposed development would comprise an FLNG facility alongside associated marine and export infrastructure, with the potential to serve international LNG markets as well as Nigeria’s growing domestic gas demand.

“The project is presently envisaged to have an LNG production capacity of approximately three million tonnes per annum.

“However, this remains subject to the outcome of the ongoing feasibility and technical studies, project economics, regulatory approvals and final investment decisions,” he said.

Verma said NIPCO was also evaluating the shipping and logistics infrastructure required to support both export and domestic LNG supply.

The Managing Director said the ongoing assessment covers upstream gas supply and reserves, FLNG technology and configuration, LNG production capacity, marine and export infrastructure, domestic LNG supply opportunities, shipping and logistics requirements, project economics and financing structure.

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