The Taraba State government has formally contested assertions that it carries a debt load of N1.2 trillion, labeling the figure as both misleading and factually incorrect. Commissioner for Finance, Sarah Adi, provided this clarification in Jalingo, emphasizing that public assessments of state finances must differentiate between active debt, sanctioned credit lines, and capital that has yet to be accessed.
Official records from the Debt Management Office indicate that Taraba’s domestic debt was N85.51 billion at the close of 2025. Commissioner Adi noted this reflects a decrease from the N87.96 billion recorded prior to Governor Agbu Kefas taking office. Regarding external obligations, the state saw a minor rise from $46.47 million in late 2022 to roughly $48.04 million by the end of 2025, a shift largely attributed to currency exchange volatility.
Addressing concerns over approved credit facilities, including a N206.78 billion arrangement with several commercial banks, Adi stated that authorized limits do not equate to current debt. Repayments and restructuring significantly impact actual liabilities, meaning authorized ceilings are not the same as drawn balances. The state similarly clarified that a proposed N350 billion market-financing plan has not been fully received; it is structured in stages, with an initial tranche of N35 billion currently under review.
Furthermore, agreements totaling $268 million with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development are earmarked for specific industrial and agricultural projects. These funds are not yet disbursed and remain subject to regulatory and statutory approvals. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to transparent fiscal management, urging observers to evaluate the state’s financial health based on actual debt service capacity and verified disbursements rather than aggregated, speculative figures.
