Credit to the private sector closed 2025 on a mildly positive note, rising to N75.83 trillion in December, as credit to government surged to N34.22 trillion.
Latest money and credit statistics released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that credit to the private sector increased by 1.6 per cent month-on-month in December, up from N74.63 trillion in November, marking one of the stronger monthly expansions recorded in the second half of the year.
By contrast, credit to government jumped by a steep 29.9 per cent in December, rising from N26.35 trillion in November to N34.22 trillion, the largest monthly increase recorded within the year under review.
A review of the monthly movement in private sector credit over the past year showed an uneven trend, reflecting the impact of tight monetary conditions, elevated lending rates and cautious risk appetite by deposit money banks.
In January 2025, credit to the private sector stood at N77.38 trillion, but declined by 1.4 per cent in February to N76.26 trillion, followed by a further 0.4 per cent contraction in March to N75.98 trillion.
