CISLAC warns that Nigeria may go bankrupt as debts hit $103bn

The Director, Auwal Rafsanjani spoke in Abuja on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at a dialogue on Modality for Setting Debt Limit.

The activist called for the activation of relevant provisions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act to limit the public debt stock.

What DMO had said: Nigeria’s debt as of June 30 was $103billion (N43trillion), according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).

Domestic debt stood at $63.24billion, while external debt stock was about $40.06billion.

CISLAC digs further: CISLAC said in the 2023 budget proposals, the revenue and expenditure targets were N9trillion and N20trillion, respectively.

Rafsanjani noted that this results in a N10trillion fiscal deficit, representing 4.78% of the GDP, which is above the 3% set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

“Total debt stock is projected to stand at about N50 trillion after the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning submits the approved detailed budget”, he said.

CISLAC gives a resolution and recommendation: Rafsanjani urged the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) to set up a framework for public debt management, conditions and limits for borrowing.

The director urged the authorities to increase production, raise revenue, reprioritize expenditure, reduce the cost of governance and block avenues of fiscal leakages.