The IMF’s new 2019 GDP base year added between $20 billion and $235 billion annually to Nigeria’s GDP from 1990–2025.
2014 saw the biggest jump — an upward revision of $235.1 billion, raising GDP to $811.1 billion from $576.0 billion under the old base.
The rebased data consistently show 40–45% higher GDP values through the 2000s and 2010s, revealing a larger economy than earlier estimates.
The impact was strongest during Nigeria’s oil boom years (2007–2014), when rebasing captured fast-growing sectors like digital services, informal trade, and modular refining.
The seven North-Western states collectively owed about ₦223.4 billion in domestic debt as of Q2 2025, according to DMO data.
Kano State ranked highest with ₦56.9 billion, accounting for roughly 25% of the zone’s total debt.
Jigawa remains the least indebted in the region and in the entire country, with only ₦852 million.
Moderate debt spread: While Kano, Zamfara, and Sokoto carried the largest debt loads, the remaining states maintained relatively conservative borrowing patterns.
The six North Central states collectively hold ₦449.4 billion in domestic debt as of Q2 2025, according to DMO data.
Kogi and Nasarawa lead in fiscal control with ₦18.8 billion and ₦23.9 billion, respectively
Both states record the lowest debt profiles in the region. Niger State’s ₦141.5 billion debt makes it the region’s most indebted, accounting for nearly one-third of the total.
The debt gap between Kogi (lowest) and Niger (highest) stands at over ₦123 billion, highlighting stark differences in fiscal management and borrowing capacity across the zone.
