Credit to Nigeria’s private sector closed 2025 on a mildly positive note, rising to N75.83 trillion in December, according to the latest money and credit statistics released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The increase, a 1.6% month-on-month growth from November’s N74.63 trillion, marked one of the stronger monthly expansions in the second half of the year, reflecting cautious but steady lending by deposit money banks.
By contrast, credit to government surged sharply by 29.9% in December, rising from N26.35 trillion in November to N34.22 trillion, the largest monthly increase in 2025.
A review of private sector credit over the year showed uneven trends, influenced by tight monetary conditions, elevated lending rates, and conservative risk appetites among banks. Credit stood at N77.38 trillion in January but declined 1.4% in February to N76.26 trillion and fell a further 0.4% in March to N75.98 trillion.
The December rebound signals renewed confidence in private sector lending as economic activity gradually stabilizes, even as government borrowing continues to dominate the credit landscape.
