Nigeria Non-Performing Loans
Bank nonperforming loans as % of total gross loans FB.AST.NPER.ZS
Nigeria's non-performing loans was -1.67% in 2025, ranked 127th globally. This represents a 141.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2007–2025.
Overview
Nigeria's non-performing loans stood at -1.67% in 2025, a decline of +5.69pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.67% by 2025. Nigeria ranked 127th globally.
Nigeria’s non‑performing loan ratio has fallen dramatically from a high of 37.25 % in 2009 to a negative reading of –1.67 % in 2025, the lowest level among 127 economies reported by the World Bank. The 17‑year span from 2007, when the ratio stood at 9.50 %, reflects a sustained improvement in credit quality, driven by tighter banking supervision and reforms in loan‑loss provisioning. Compared with peer countries of similar rank, Nigeria’s latest figure is marginally better than India’s –1.21 % and close to Belize’s –1.71 %, yet still above Lithuania’s –1.10 % and Italy’s –2.16 %. The sharp decline suggests that banks have increasingly written off distressed assets and adopted more conservative lending standards. Continued macro‑economic stability, further deepening of financial regulation, and the avoidance of external shocks will be crucial for maintaining the negative trend and preventing a reversal toward higher non‑performing loan levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Non-Performing Loans | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | -1.67% | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.67% | −5.69pp | #127 |
| 2022 | 4.01% | −0.92pp | #74 |
| 2021 | 4.93% | −1.09pp | #80 |
| 2020 | 6.02% | −0.01pp | #87 |
| 2019 | 6.03% | −5.64pp | #93 |
| 2018 | 11.67% | −3.14pp | #122 |
| 2017 | 14.81% | +1.99pp | #125 |
| 2016 | 12.82% | +7.95pp | #119 |
| 2015 | 4.86% | +1.90pp | #67 |
| 2014 | 2.96% | −0.43pp | #44 |
| 2013 | 3.39% | −0.31pp | #52 |
| 2012 | 3.71% | −2.07pp | #58 |
| 2011 | 5.77% | −14.37pp | #77 |
| 2010 | 20.14% | −17.11pp | #107 |
| 2009 | 37.25% | +30.06pp | #82 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nigeria matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw non-performing loans improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigeria's non-performing loans was -1.67% in 2025. Ranked 127th globally. This represents a 141.7% decrease from the previous year.
Nigeria's non-performing loans peaked at 37.25% in 2009.
The lowest non-performing loans in Nigeria was -1.67% in 2025.
Nigeria ranks 127th globally in non-performing loans as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FB.AST.NPER.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nigeria's non-performing loans is projected to reach -1.67% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The non-performing loans of Nigeria in 2025 was -1.67%. This ranks 127th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nigeria_non-performing-loans,
title = {Nigeria Non-Performing Loans},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nigeria/non-performing-loans/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}