The Taraba State government has officially refuted allegations claiming the administration accrued ₦1.2 trillion in debt over the past three years. Sarah Adi, the Commissioner for Finance, addressed reporters in Jalingo on Sunday to clarify the state’s actual financial status.
Adi cited data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), noting that Taraba’s domestic debt was ₦85.51 billion as of December 31, 2025. This figure reflects a reduction of ₦2.45 billion compared to the ₦87.96 billion recorded prior to Governor Agbu Kefas taking office. Regarding external liabilities, the state saw a modest increase from 46.47 million dollars in 2022 to approximately 48 million dollars by the end of 2025.
The commissioner also clarified the status of several financial facilities. She noted that a ₦206.78 billion commercial bank facility approved in 2023 should not be viewed as current debt, as it depends on actual disbursements and repayment terms. Similarly, she dismissed claims that the state had received ₦350 billion from a capital-market program, explaining that funds are raised in stages and only an initial ₦35 billion is currently under consideration. Furthermore, agreements totaling 268 million dollars with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development for industrial and agricultural projects remain subject to regulatory approvals before any money is disbursed.
Adi emphasized that one must distinguish between existing debt, approved facilities, and proposed financing to understand the state’s true fiscal position. She concluded by stating that the Kefas administration remains committed to transparency and cautioned against combining unrelated financial figures to misrepresent the state’s debt burden.
