Tuesday, 23 July 2024 04:32

Debt servicing consumed 74 percent of FG’s revenue in Q1 2024

Rate this item
(0 votes)

  • In Q1 2024, debt servicing consumed about 74% of Nigeria’s federal revenue, amounting to N1.31 trillion out of the N1.76 trillion retained revenue.  
  • This financial strain highlights the government’s ongoing challenges in managing debt, despite a reduction in fiscal deficit and overall expenditures. 
  • Alarmingly, the high debt service costs overshadow spending on essential sectors like personnel and capital expenditures, signalling a need for urgent economic reforms to sustain growth and development. 

 Debt service costs have consumed about 74% of the federal government’s retained revenue in the first quarter of 2024. 

This is according to the latest quarterly statistical bulletin from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).  

In Q1 2024, the federal government had a retained revenue of N1.76 trillion.

However, in the same period, debt servicing gulped N1.31 trillion, which is about 74% of the government revenue. 

This figure highlights the continuing financial strain on the government’s resources as it grapples with significant debt obligations

Only 29% of FG’s expenditures was for debt servicing 

Although debt servicing gulped 74% of the federal government’s revenue, it was only about 29% of the total expenditures for the period under review. 

While retained revenue was N1.76 trillion, an increase of 33.8% compared to the N1.32 trillion retained in the same period of 2023, there was a decrease in government expenditures by 12.9% from N5.28 trillion in Q1 2023 to N4.59 trillion by 2024. 

Just as there was a decrease in expenditures, there was also a decrease in fiscal deficit by 29% from N3.96 trillion in the Q1 of last year to N2.83 trillion in the same period this year. 

There was also a decrease in debt servicing spending by 33.5% from N1.97 trillion in Q1 2023, as debt servicing to revenue ratio was 149% in the first quarter of last year. 

Although there was a reduction in the ratio this year, the high percentage still shows the critical challenge of managing the country’s debt in a sustainable manner, as substantial portions of the revenue are directed towards servicing existing debts rather than development projects. 

Debt service costs overwhelm spending on personnel, capital expenditure 

The federal government spent more on debt servicing than it spent on personnel costs or capital expenditures. 

Personnel costs for Q1 2024 amounted to N1.15 trillion, an increase of 17.1% from the N978.11 billion spent in the same period last year. 

However, capital expenditure fell by 35.9% to N1.15 trillion in Q1 2024, from the N1.8 trillion recorded in the same quarter of 2023. 

This reduction in capital expenditure is concerning, as it suggests a cutback in investments in infrastructure and other long-term development projects. 

Capital expenditure is crucial for economic growth and development, and sustained reductions in this area could impede progress and affect the overall economic health of the nation. 

 

Nairametrics

March 15, 2025

Dangote Refinery further reduces petrol loading price amidst fresh crude supply from NNPCL

In a significant development in Nigeria's downstream oil sector, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has further…
March 14, 2025

I know individuals in Tinubu’s govt who bought ministerial positions, El-Rufai claims

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that he knows individuals who paid to…
March 14, 2025

How leaders train themselves to rethink and adapt faster

Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio Recognizing the value of rethinking is one thing—making it a habit is another.…
March 01, 2025

Man offers to split $525,000 jackpot with thieves who stole his credit card to buy…

A Frenchman appealed to the homeless thieves who stole his credit card to buy a…
March 14, 2025

Gunmen invade Kaduna communities, abduct 10

Suspected bandits have abducted ten villagers from three remote communities in Kajuru Local Government Area…
March 15, 2025

What to know after Day 1115 of Russia-Ukraine war

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE Putin urges Kiev to order troops in Kursk Region to surrender Moscow is…
March 15, 2025

Humanoid robot with human-like competence unveiled in China

Du Qiongfang Humanoid robot manufacturer AgiBot in Shanghai unveiled on Tuesday its latest humanoid robot…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.