By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Nigeria’s Total Public Debt Stock stood at N32.223 trillion or USD84.574 billion as at the 33rd quarter of 2020, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).
The Office said in a statement on Thursday that the Debt Stock is made up of the Domestic and External Debt Stocks of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), the 36 State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The break down of the Public Debt Stock showed that 37.82% was External, while the balance of 62.18% was Domestic.
Compared to the Total Public Debt Stock of N31.009 Trillion as at June 30, 2020, the Debt Stock in Q3 2020 increased by N1.214 Trillion or 3.91%. The FGN, State Governments and the FCT all recorded increases in their Debt Stock due to borrowings to enable them respond appropriately to the COVID-19 Pandemic and to meet revenue shortfalls.
Issuance of Promissory Notes by the FGN to settle inherited liabilities also contributed to the growth in the Public Debt Stock since the year 2018 when they were first issued.
While N20.136 Billion of Promissory Notes were issued in Q3, 2020, as at September 30, 2020, the Promissory Notes Outstanding, which are all included in the Domestic Debt Stock, stood at N971.878 Billion.
