Nigeria’s reliance on World Bank funding is set to deepen as the Federal Government plans to secure six new loans totaling $2.23 billion in 2025, bringing the total World Bank loan approvals for the country to $9.25 billion over three years.
According to data from the World Bank’s official website, these new loans will fund key projects in digital infrastructure, healthcare, education, nutrition, and economic resilience, as Nigeria grapples with fiscal challenges and economic instability.
Nigeria’s Growing Dependence on World Bank Loans
Since 2023, Nigeria has witnessed a sharp increase in World Bank funding approvals under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In 2023, the country secured $2.7 billion in loans for various projects, including:
- $750 million for the Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Project
- $700 million for Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment
- $500 million for Nigeria Women Programme Scale-Up
- $750 million for Power Sector Recovery Performance-Based Operation
The trend continued in 2024, with loan approvals rising to $4.32 billion to support economic stabilization, revenue mobilization, healthcare, rural development, and human capital investment.
Some of the largest approvals in 2024 include:
- $1.5 billion for Economic Stabilization and Transformation Development Policy Financing
- $750 million for Non-Oil Revenue Mobilization Reforms
- $570 million for Nigeria Primary Healthcare Strengthening Programme
- $500 million for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project
Fresh Loan Requests for 2025
For 2025, Nigeria is seeking six new loans worth $2.23 billion, with board approvals expected between March and September. The proposed projects include:
$500 million – Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (broadband expansion in underserved areas) $300 million – Nigeria Health Security Programme (enhancing emergency preparedness and public health response) $300 million – Solutions for Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project (support for displaced persons and host communities) $80 million – Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria 2.0 (nutrition services for women and children) $552 million – HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (improving foundational learning and increasing access to education) $500 million – Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme (livelihood support and food security services)
Nigeria’s Debt Profile and Rising Concerns
Nigeria remains the third-largest debtor to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), despite a slight reduction in its debt exposure. As of December 31, 2024, Nigeria’s IDA debt stood at $16.8 billion, down from $17.1 billion in September.
However, concerns about Nigeria’s rising debt profile persist, especially as the government spent $3.58 billion on foreign debt servicing in the first nine months of 2024—a 39.77% increase from the previous year.
Government’s Response to Debt Concerns
Despite the growing debt burden, the Nigerian government insists that World Bank loans remain a crucial part of its development financing strategy. Finance Minister Wale Edun has reiterated the administration’s commitment to reducing reliance on external borrowing while promoting private-sector-led economic growth.
Similarly, Debt Management Office (DMO) Director-General Patience Oniha acknowledged the World Bank’s crucial role in financing key projects in Nigeria but emphasized the need for a sustainable debt strategy to prevent fiscal crises in the future.
Final Thoughts
Nigeria’s rising World Bank debt reflects the country’s increasing dependence on concessional financing to sustain its development agenda. With $9.25 billion in loan approvals in just three years, the government faces growing pressure to ensure efficient utilization of funds while exploring alternative funding sources to achieve long-term economic stability.
The big question remains: Is Nigeria leveraging these loans for genuine economic transformation, or is it sinking deeper into a debt trap? 
