Kaduna State Clears ₦90bn Debt Without New Loans

Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, disclosed that his administration successfully cleared ₦90 billion in debt inherited from previous administrations without resorting to new domestic or foreign loans. This announcement was made in the context of the government's fiscal progress since Sani assumed office in May 2023.

Upon taking office, the current administration faced a daunting financial profile, including ₦587 million in external debt and ₦85 billion in domestic liabilities, alongside 115 incomplete contracts from former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The monthly debt service bill was approximately ₦6.7 billion, making Kaduna the second most indebted state in Nigeria, following Lagos.

Governor Sani emphasized a deliberate strategy to avoid new borrowing, prioritizing fiscal discipline to navigate the state's economic realities. The administration's future fiscal plan includes a budget of ₦985.9 billion for 2026, with a significant allocation of 71% for capital expenditure focused on infrastructure development.