ELsmile: Despite a marginal 4.89% year-on-year (YoY) decline in total subnational debt, Nigeria’s 10 most indebted states saw their combined debt rise by 2.49% YoY in Q1 2025, reaching N2.48 trillion, up from N2.42 trillion in Q1 2024.
The debts of these states combined now account for 64.05% of the country’s total subnational debt.
The debt profile of Nigerian states has seen significant shifts in Q1 2025, with Lagos maintaining its position as the most indebted state despite a year-on-year (YoY) decline.
Meanwhile, states like Rivers, Enugu, and Niger recorded staggering increases in their debt burdens.
The latest data released by Debt Management Office (DMO) shows a reshuffling in Nigeria’s subnational debt landscape, driven by a blend of fiscal constraints, infrastructure ambitions, oil revenue shifts, and tighter federal allocations.
This analysis explores the debt trends of the top 10 states and the key factors driving their year-on-year changes.
abc115: A Nigerian Law School student, David Obiora, who was kidnapped alongside others on the night of July 26, 2025, has clarified that their abductors were Tiv indigenes from Benue State, and not Fulani as widely speculated.
In an interview with Vanguard, Obiora recounted his ordeal, refuting claims by the Nigeria Police that he and five other students were rescued by security operatives in Benue State.
Obiora, a law student at the Nigerian Law School’s Yola campus, explained that they were abducted along the Zakibiam-Mukari Expressway after boarding a company’s transport vehicle from Onitsha en route to Yola.
“We were six law students in the bus with the driver, three other passengers heading to Cameroon, and a woman working in Anambra who was going on holiday to Yola.
“We were kidnapped around 9 p.m. on the 26th of July. The incident happened between Zakibiam and Mukari, near a town called Jootar. We were taken 20 kilometers into the bush by about ten armed men, four wielding AK-47 rifles, the others with machetes and daggers.
“They drove the bus deep into the bush until it got stuck. They then called for reinforcement, and more members arrived on motorcycles. We were moved deeper into the forest before arriving at a halt, where we met four other victims , a non-teaching staff of Federal University Wukari, a youth corps member named Dauda Wisdom, a pastor who had just undergone surgery in Benue, and another unidentified man. We were held for six days before we were released after each of us paid N10 million in ransom.”
He stressed, “Let the record be clear, the Nigeria Police did not rescue us. The Law School did not rescue us. The Council of Legal Education did not rescue us. We were released after our families and friends raised and paid the ransom.”
Obiora further revealed that the kidnappers were mainly Tiv-speaking locals, with possibly one or two silent Fulani accomplices. “Their boss is named Matthew. He’s either a dismissed soldier or a deserter. All the others spoke Tiv , that is their language. They are from the same community where we were held. It seems the entire community has been overpowered or subdued. No one dares speak out.
“Children as young as 2 to 3 years old were playing with guns in front of us. The bandits cocked their rifles in front of these children like it was normal. We were even brought out in the open, where these kids could see us.
“Their wives were the ones cooking for us, fetching water for us , mud water. The same food we ate was what the kidnappers ate too.”
According to Obiora, one of the kidnappers, also named David, boasted about being in the kidnapping business for over nine years. “He told us he hasn’t been home in years. He claimed to have bought a Highlander SUV and another car for his wife, who now drives both. His children are in school and live well. But he cannot furnish or visit his own house because he’s a wanted man. He said they’re already marked and just doing business until they are caught.
“Matthew their boss on the other hand told us he has a ‘juju’ man in Kano who gives him spiritual protection. He said the army can’t kill him unless it’s the day God says he’ll die. He believed the ‘juju’ man would subdue any army that came after him.”
Obiora also described the terrifying moment they were abducted: “When they hijacked our bus, my initial thought was that it was Fulani, as usual. But their dialect and appearance confirmed they were Tiv. I was scared. It was my first experience, and I thought we would be killed. But they assured us they wouldn’t kill us.
“When we met the earlier abductees, they had been there for 22 days and also confirmed the captors don’t kill. That was when my mind calmed down. “Still, the conditions were terrible. We ate only once a day, and the food was unhealthy. We drank muddy water, the kind you wouldn’t use to wash a car. We were being cooked for by the ladies in the community”.
After their release, Obiora said the victims trekked for hours through dense bush paths from Benue into Taraba, eventually finding their way to a restaurant near a motor park. There, they spent the night and later linked up with a transport company manager who helped them continue their journey to Yola. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/08/we-were-kidnapped-by-tiv-people-not-fulani-freed-victim-obiora/
shortgun: You are warning who? Take your scare tactics elsewhere. I dare you to do your worst.
All these long epistles are unnecessary. Abike Dabiri was appointed to protect the interests of all Nigerians and to project a positive image of Nigerians globally. There is nowhere else in the world where a government official would go on national television to condemn an entire ethnic group or blatantly accuse them of crimes, effectively setting them up for hate and attacks. She should resign immediately
ALL those arrested recently in Ghana in this video right BELOW are IBOS from the South East of Nigeria. The series of armed bank robberies and more started long ago.
DownSouth2024: The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, has arrested a 42-year-old man, Chidi Vincent Nworji for allegedly dealing in drugs.
Gauteng province spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Lloyd Ramovha said Nworji was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Ramovha said the case against Nworji was postponed to Thursday next week, for the verification of his status in South Africa.
“Intelligence was operationalised after it was said that there was a suspect that was busy distributing narcotics around the vicinity of Alexander Street in Berea (Joburg). A team consisting of the Hawks’ serious organised crime and the tactical response team kept observations and pounced on Nworji’s vehicle when he least expected,” said Ramovha.
“A silver Honda vehicle driven by him was intercepted upon leaving Plumridge flat. The resultant search uncovered various drugs.”
The police team proceeded to Nworji’s residence, where more narcotics were found.
“A stash of money, plus coins was also confiscated. The seized drugs were established to be crystal meth, mandrax, and heroin valued at more than R1 million,” said Ramovha.
shortgun: Talk like this irritates me. Sometimes I wonder, what kind of education did you guys even receive?
Igbos are the most widely migrated ethnic group in Africa. Since they make up the largest number of African migrants, common sense should tell you that they will also statistically have a higher number of individuals involved in crime.... just by proportion! For every 12 disciples, there is always one Judas to betray. This is not to suggest that most Igbos are involved in crime! There is no ethnic group without criminals. What exactly is so difficult for you guys to understand?
The purpose of this post is to say that Abike Dabiri, a public servant, should resign for using her office to spread hate and promote bigotry.
You are rambling on and criminally defaming the well-respected NTA veteran journalist, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for saying what the whole media outlets in Nigeria and around the world had already published based on what the UAE Government had released to the public even BEFORE Abike Dabiri-Erewa spoke back then. The newly signed "Cybercrimes Act law is already in effect. I will NOT warn you again.
What she said was a repeat of the FACT and you are being highly IRRESPONSIBLE for even trying to accuse her of wrong doing!
Second, Asari Dokubo ALSO said in a video in 2023 that when he traveled to Vietnam and South Korea, he was asked whether he is Ibo. This is based on the FACT that many South East of Nigeria people were being arrested for crimes with Anambra State indigenes being in the majority.
Third, the SAME thing is going on in Ghana where South East of Nigeria people have been arrested for over 20 years and their names were fully published in the media. Even the recent armed robberies, kidnappings for ransom, hard drugs trafficking, human trafficking, products counterfeiting, money counterfeiting, are done by these elements from the South East of Nigeria. This is what finally triggered the protests in Ghana further compounded by the disrespectful activities of the fake Eze parading himself around.
The popular leading Ghanain opposition leader Dr. Hassan Ayariga who once lived and schooled in Nigeria himself said on live Ghana television that the South East of Nigeria people were causing problems in Ghana based on those arrested in the past. He bluntly said in the same viral video that the Yorubas and Hausas have been living in Ghana for centuries WITHOUT causing problems for Ghanaians till date and this is a historical FACT!
Hassan Ayariga was the one that led the series of recent protests against the crimes being commited and against this illegal Eze.
Massive EVIDENCE Right Below: 1] ALL 5 from South East of Nigeria arrested right BELOW minus one. https://www.myjoyonline.com/police-in-a-r-arrest-5-nigerians-1-ghanaian-for-attack-and-robbery-of-bank-customers/ According to the police commander, on Thursday, 19th June, 2025, around 10 am, the police successfully arrested three other suspects; Russell Ekenze, 29 years, a taxi driver, Francis Friday, 49 years, and Linus Agwazie, a 51-year-old trader.
DCOP Teye Cudjoe, in his press briefing, said that during their interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a large criminal syndicate.
"They admitted to carrying out similar thefts at several locations within Kumasi, including Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Mayanka, Asokwa, Kumasi Central Mosque, ShopRite and Georgia Hotel area.
Peterobiisathie: The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old Nigerian national, Emmanuel Okafor Chukwuma, in connection with an armed robbery attack on a Mobile Money vendor at Avenor in Accra.
A statement signed by the Greater Accra Head of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Juliana Obeng, indicated that Chukwuma, who works as an illegal miner (galamsey operator), was apprehended after a failed escape attempt.
The incident occurred on Sunday, June 30, 2025, at about 8:30 p.m., when the victim was at her workplace.
According to police investigations, Chukwuma and an accomplice, identified only as Emeka, arrived on an unregistered motorbike and attacked the vendor at gunpoint, demanding cash.
During the robbery, Chukwuma reportedly fired three warning shots, one of which struck the victim in the left leg. Fearing for her life, she handed over her bag, which contained GHS 20,000.
Shortly after the attack, a courageous bystander gave chase and raised an alarm. Other members of the public joined the pursuit, which led to the suspects crashing their motorbike. Chukwuma was arrested on the spot, while his accomplice managed to flee.
During interrogation, Chukwuma admitted to the crime in his caution statement and revealed that both he and Emeka had planned to flee to Nigeria after the robbery, having already secured travel tickets.
He has since been charged and remanded into police custody by the court. He is scheduled to reappear before the court on July 30, 2025.
Meanwhile, the victim’s stolen bag, which contained GH₵ 9,000 at the time of recovery, has been returned to her.
The Accra Regional Police Command commended the bravery and swift intervention of individuals who contributed to the apprehension of the suspect.
“The Accra Regional Police Command commends the bravery and support of the public. We assure the public of ongoing efforts to apprehend Emelca, the other accomplice on the run, and urge everyone to continue supporting the Police by reporting suspicious activities via 18555 or 191,” the statement concluded.
LegendHero: Uchechukwu Chima, a 56-year-old Nigerian, has been arrested in Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra, Ghana, following an intelligence-led operation by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).
NACOC operatives searched Chima’s hideout and uncovered substances suspected to be narcotic drugs. Field tests confirmed the presence of cocaine and heroin.
The arrest was announced in a statement signed by Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director, Public Affairs and International Relations, Ministry of the Interior, Ghana.
“The suspected narcotic substances, with a total weight of about 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin, are estimated at a street value of Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars (US$2.1 Million or N3.2 billion),” NACOC stated.
“The suspect, Uchechukwu Chima, who has been a target for NACOC for some time now, is noted to be the brain behind some seizures/arrests made by NACOC in the past.”
NACOC said by the seizure and arrest, it has taken “this substantial quantity of drugs from the street, saving millions of lives of people who would have otherwise perished from abusing these hard drugs”.
Slytiger: The Ashanti regional police command has arrested five Nigerians and a Ghanaian for their alleged involvement in the attack and robbery of customers in some banks in Kumasi.
shortgun: Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the current Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has consistently demonstrated ethnic bias and a lack of professional discretion, these traits disqualify her from holding such a sensitive and nationally symbolic office.
Her most recent actions singling out Igbos in connection with crimes committed abroad not only breach diplomatic decorum but appear to be a deliberate attempt to scapegoat an entire ethnic group, with potentially dangerous consequences for innocent Nigerians living overseas.
Dabiri-Erewa has made it a pattern to highlight crimes allegedly committed by Nigerians of Igbo descent, while deliberately ignoring or downplaying similar offenses committed by other Nigerians, particularly those from her ethnic group.
For instance, in 2023 she publicly named and shamed Igbos in Dubai involved in gang-related violence. She failed to provide full details, ignored due process and used inflammatory language that branded entire communities abroad with guilt by association. Yet, in the same Dubai Nigeria’s most notorious internet fraudster Ramon Abbas, also known as "Hushpuppi" was arrested by the FBI. Abike Dabiri-Erewa did not highlight his Yoruba ethnicity or use the incident to generalize about his ethnic group. Instead, she issued an official statement through the Commission "urging the public to refrain from stigmatizing Nigerians in the diaspora and emphasizing that the actions of a few should not tarnish the reputation of the majority".
"That statement described the arrest of Ramoni Igbalode (“Hushpuppi”) as no justification for generalizing about all Nigerians abroad or using the case as a basis for ethnic stereotyping".
When drug traffickers of other ethnic backgrounds were arrested in Saudi Arabia or when Nigerians were caught for internet fraud and other crimes in Malaysia, India or Indonesia Dabiri-Erewa either remained silent or issued vague, diplomatic statements, without drawing any attention to their ethnic identity.
Anyone with basic education should know that if Igbos make up the largest population of Nigerians in a particular country, it is only natural that they would also be the highest in all statistics including crime, success, employment..e.t.c in that country.
If Abike Dabiri is not a bigot, she should publish the names and ethnicities of all Nigerians in Saudi Arabian prisons or London prisons.
This pattern of selective outrage betrays a deep-seated bias and worsens ethnic divisions both at home and abroad.
As a public official, Abike Dabiri-Erewa holds a position that demands neutrality, tact and a commitment to national unity. She is expected to defend the interests of all Nigerians in the diaspora not inflame tribal tensions or exploit her office to score political points.
What she has done is not merely embarrassing it is dangerous. Her rhetoric will provoke hate, social stigma and even physical attacks against innocent Igbo Nigerians abroad many of whom are law-abiding professionals, students and entrepreneurs.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa has demonstrated that she is unfit to represent Nigerians in the diaspora especially when a significant portion of them can no longer trust her to advocate on their behalf without tribal bias.
She should resign or be removed from office immediately. Her continued presence only deepens Nigeria’s fragile divisions and reinforces the double standards that have hindered the nation’s unity and progress for decades
Desist from further speading FALSEHOODS and deliberate disinformation here while playing the victim. This is why Governor Soludo is a great man for speaking the truth about the fact that 99.99% of those arrested in Anambra State are his fellow Ibo kinsmen NOT outsiders.
The UAE Government had already released the names of those South East of Nigeria criminals arrested to the whole world before Abike Dabiri-Erewa even mentioned what was already available in the public domain.
Watch the 2014 video BELOW of a Thailand Police investigator accusing South East of Nigeria people of being the BIGGEST CURSE to Nigeria and Africa. This was in 2014 when Goodluck Jonathan was the President of Nigeria. It wasn't Abike Dabiri-Erewa speaking in that video BUT a Senior Police investigator in Thailand in 2014.
Tinder Swindler, Drugs or Football? Shows an I*o drug trafficker from the South East of Nigeria being interogated in 2014 by a Thailand Police investigator who in the Timestamp 5:00 bluntly called out the I*o tribe as the BIGGEST CURSE of Nigeria and Africa in 2014, because of their many relentless drug trafficking into Thailand.
SmartPolician: How come I don't see people saying that Soludo should be voted out for saying the same thing?
Why do you prefer to focus on the messenger instead of the message? If you are not embarrassed that Igbos go about pushing drugs around the world, you are most likely doing the same thing or benefiting from it.
You people must learn to condemn criminality in its entirety. I don't know what parents teach their children these days. Parents are terribly failing at parenting!
This is Soludo saying that 23 Anambra indigenes are on death row in Indonesia and nobody called for his head
Uptownerd: 🔘Man Arrested in Burbank for Creepy Behavior at Stores
A 38-year-old man named Calese Carron Crowder got busted for acting super creepy in a couple of stores in downtown Burbank area. This wasn’t just a random incident—Crowder’s got a history, and it’s not a good one. Let me break it down for you.
Kenya’s Uasin Gishu County has successfully exported 50 high-performing dairy cows to Lagos State, Nigeria, marking a new chapter in the international livestock trade in Africa.
The cows, flown out via a cargo plane from Eldoret International Airport, were selected from top-performing smallholder farms across Uasin Gishu, a region long recognised as the heartbeat of Kenya’s dairy sector.
Announcing the development in a Facebook post, Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim described the export as a “major milestone,” crediting ongoing county investments in livestock quality and farmer support.
“These cows, carefully selected from our smallholder farmers across the County of Champions, are a testament to the strength and potential of our local dairy sector,” said Chelilim in the terse statement posted to his official Facebook page.
While Nigeria is home to one of the largest livestock populations in Africa, the country continues to grapple with low milk yields and underdeveloped dairy genetics. The import of Kenyan dairy breeds, known for their superior milk production, is expected to enhance productivity in Nigeria’s dairy industry.
“This move reflects the results of our continued investment in livestock farming through the rehabilitation of cattle dips, subsidized artificial insemination programs, and enhanced extension services,” Chelilim added.
The export represents a win-win for both countries, Kenyan farmers gain access to a broader market and better incomes, while Nigeria benefits from improved dairy productivity and genetic diversity.
Agricultural experts viewed the deal as more than symbolic as it demonstrates the rising potential of intra-African trade in high-value agricultural commodities and the growing reputation of Kenyan dairy genetics.
“Step by step, we are transforming dairy farming into an income-generating enterprise and opening new markets for our farmers beyond our borders,” Governor Chelilim added.
The export came amid ongoing efforts by Kenya to position itself as a leader in agribusiness innovation and by African governments to deepen regional trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative.
Kenya’s Uasin Gishu County has successfully exported 50 high-performing dairy cows to Lagos State, Nigeria, marking a new chapter in the international livestock trade in Africa.
The cows, flown out via a cargo plane from Eldoret International Airport, were selected from top-performing smallholder farms across Uasin Gishu, a region long recognised as the heartbeat of Kenya’s dairy sector.
Samantha125: Tanzania has enacted sweeping new restrictions barring foreigners from operating a broad range of small businesses, in a move aimed at protecting grassroots economic activity and preserving opportunities for local citizens.
The new regulation, Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025, was officially published on July 28, 2025, under Government Notice No. 487A, and signed by Dr. Selemani Jafo, the Minister for Industry and Trade.
Under the directive, foreigners are prohibited from participating in 15 specific business sectors considered critical to grassroots economic empowerment. These sectors, traditionally dominated by Tanzanians, are seen by the government as vital to local job creation and income generation.
That's one major form of protectionism with global precedents. Tanzania FIRST... America FIRST.
FactsZoneAfrica: Germany is often seen as a country of innovation, precision, and history—but beneath its structured surface lies a trove of astonishing geography facts that many people don't know. From glowing cities and narrow streets to volcanic fields and space-diamond towns, Germany’s natural and man-made features are full of surprises.
In this article, we uncover 15 incredible geography facts about Germany that will change the way you see this powerhouse of Europe.
15 Mind-Blowing Geography Facts About Germany You Didn’t Know!
Nördlingen: A Town Built on Diamonds
Nördlingen, a charming Bavarian town, lies in a meteor crater formed 15 million years ago. The impact created shocked quartz and microscopic diamonds.
Buildings constructed from the local rock literally glitter with diamond dust—a geological marvel!
Germany Has Over 1,000 Rivers
From the mighty Rhine to the scenic Elbe and Danube, Germany boasts over 1,000 rivers that play key roles in trade, ecology, and tourism.
These waterways contribute not just to Germany’s economy but also its natural beauty and biodiversity.
DrMB: Nigeria’s 22.22% inflation isn’t just the highest in the region, it’s in a league of its own. While most neighbors are cooling off, Nigeria is still overheating.
President Trump says he has ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the "appropriate regions" in response to comments made by the former President of 🇷🇺 Russia.
"Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences."
President Trump says he has ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the "appropriate regions" in response to comments made by the former President of 🇷🇺 Russia.
"Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences."
WritterNg: And you think Russia would be as f@@lish as you to extract all their resources at once?
You think you know better than them? Or why do you think they keep extracting it bit by bit?
They can also choose to not pump oil at all, reduce supply thereby increasing demand and price of oil. And make times 10 of what they make now. That goes for other resources.
Only a f@@l would compare actual resources to worth paper currencies.
The resources are meaningless but the US/NATO have been killing millions of people since God knows when, just to get their hands on their meaningless resources.
I just logged in and saw the distasteful, infantile and rude adjectives to my person right from your first paragraph and the fourth paragraph, including the gross "misinterpretation" of my ORIGINAL post. Russia is a country that I admire based off of her past and evolving history, and I doubt if you are even aware of what you posted as I NEVER insulted you in my ORIGINAL post as a respectable older man and NL veteran member since over 20 years ago (2005) who has worked in the extractive industry with a major international oil and gas company, well-traveled globally, and well-read.
You ORIGINALLY responded to this SAME post of mine that you quoted on the July 29, 2025 with civility, so why are you responding again to the SAME post of mine 24-hours later with these insulting adjectives?
There are many well-read, and highly influential folks that I know who use this discussion forum from time. This discussion forum represents a wide spectrum of the society just like in the physical world. Be guided about what you post and who you respond to as you are NOT communicating with random youngsters. You must learn to improve on your "comprehension skills" in discerning what people post or say online and offline. Period.
SIRTee15: Oga rest. 100 trillion dollar of mineral wealth is also an illusion.
If all the minerals beneath Russian soil is mined today, their value will drop. Imagine pumping extra 10 million barrels of crude oil n bringing to an already oversaturated market, oil price will drop to like 20-30 dollars per barrel. Same for all other commodities u mentioned.
That's why we have organisations like OPEC that controls oil price by limiting amount of crude oil available for market. The value of those minerals in the ground is meaningless, it's their market value on the surface that matters.
WritterNg: Okay let them pay off their country's debt na. E no suppose hard.
Rich only on computer screen. Something wey be say only one tweet from one influential person fit wipe out 60% of their so called wealth. That one na money?
Can anything wipe off the $100 trillion resources beneath Russia's soil? Diamond, Gold, Silver, Uranium, Lithium, Oil, Gas, Paladium, Zinc and other precious rare earth metals.
Untapped reserves of solid minerals for Russia doesn't translate to immediate real income though. However that part about wiping off American folks wealth via tweeting cracked me up. We know who among the past to present POTUS does that.
Politics › Re: Top 10 Most Indebted Nigerian States As Of Q1 2025 by AlphaTaikun: 6:37pm On Aug 05, 2025
[/quote]
