$1.5bn fresh loan: What each Nigerian now owes as debt hits N166.79tn – Atiku

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has said each Nigerian’s share of the country’s public debt now stands at ₦716,822, following a rise in total debt to ₦166.79 trillion as of June 2026.

DAILY POST reports that Atiku made the claim in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, amid reports that the Federal Government is seeking a fresh ₦1.5 trillion loan from the World Bank.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) confirmed that Nigeria’s total public debt stood at ₦166.79 trillion at June 30, 2026. (Debt Management Office Nigeria)

“If Nigeria’s public debt were divided among everyone, each person’s share would be N716,822 today. Three years ago, it was N383,442. That is an 87 per cent increase,” Atiku said.

“Tinubu has made today difficult and tomorrow more uncertain,” he added.

He criticised the government over continued borrowing, saying Nigerians were struggling with rising living costs despite economic reforms.