Enugu State recorded the largest reduction in domestic debt among Nigerian states in the first half of 2026, cutting its debt stock by 52.73 per cent between December 2025 and June 2026, according to data from the Debt Management Office (DMO).
The DMO’s latest domestic debt report shows that Enugu reduced its debt from ₦157.60 billion as of December 31, 2025, to ₦74.51 billion by June 30, 2026, representing a decline of about ₦83.10 billion. (DMO)
Enugu was one of four states that reduced their domestic debt by more than 20 per cent during the six-month period. The others were Jigawa, Ondo and Zamfara.
Collectively, the four states reduced their domestic debt from ₦224.66 billion in December 2025 to ₦126.85 billion in June 2026, a decrease of ₦97.81 billion, or 43.53 per cent.
Enugu’s 52.73 per cent reduction was followed by Jigawa at 34.71 per cent, Ondo at 26.82 per cent and Zamfara at 20.86 per cent.
For Enugu, the DMO figures indicate that the debt reduction accelerated during the period, with the state recording a 23.84 per cent decline in the first quarter and a further 37.93 per cent reduction in the second quarter.
Jigawa reduced its domestic debt from ₦1.60 billion in December 2025 to about ₦1.04 billion by June 2026, representing a reduction of ₦555.41 million, or 34.71 per cent. The state recorded no change during the first quarter before making the full reduction in the second quarter.
Ondo’s domestic debt declined from ₦8.42 billion to ₦6.16 billion, representing a reduction of ₦2.26 billion, or 26.82 per cent. The state recorded a 13.11 per cent decline in the first quarter and another 15.78 per cent in the second quarter.
Zamfara, meanwhile, reduced its domestic debt from ₦57.04 billion to ₦45.14 billion, cutting its debt stock by ₦11.90 billion, or 20.86 per cent. Most of the reduction occurred in the first quarter, when its debt fell by 16.77 per cent, followed by another 4.91 per cent decline in the second quarter.
Beyond the four states, several others also recorded significant reductions. Kwara’s domestic debt fell by 18.93 per cent, Ogun by 16.89 per cent, Anambra by 16.74 per cent, Ebonyi by 15.55 per cent and Bayelsa by 15.36 per cent.
Overall, 26 states recorded reductions in domestic debt between December 2025 and June 2026, while 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory recorded increases.
Edo recorded the largest increase, with its domestic debt rising by 135.72 per cent, followed by the FCT at 89.98 per cent, Borno at 70.52 per cent, Adamawa at 52.74 per cent and Delta at 48.41 per cent.
The DMO said its June 2026 domestic debt report was generated from signed-off reports submitted by the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The headline is deliberately tighter and more data-driven than the original while putting Enugu’s 52.73% reduction at the centre of the story.
