External debts incurred by Nigerian Presidents from the administration of late President Shehu Shagari in 1979 to 2024 rose from N2.3 billion in 1979 to ₦56.02 trillion in 2024; and it is still rising in the administration of incumbent President Bola Tinubu.
External debt declined for the first time in Nigeria since 1979 in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 from ₦2.58 trillion to ₦438.9 billion.
Nigeria’s debt was held constant for the first time in the administration of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha at ₦633.1 billion and ₦633 billion from 1993 to 1998.