Federal Government Falls Short: Raises N1.5tn at February Bond Auction

The Federal Government’s February bond auction fell short of its target as it raised N1.5 trillion instead of the planned N2.5 trillion.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) announced this shortfall in a press release on Tuesday. The auction included bonds maturing in 2031 and 2034, with a combined offering of N2.5 trillion.

Despite the lower-than-expected outcome, the DMO highlighted significant investor interest with total bids reaching N1.9 trillion, the highest recorded in any single FGN Securities Auction.

The 2031 bond received allotments totaling N873.53 billion, while the 2034 bond saw allotments amounting to N621.38 billion, making for a total allotment of N1.495 trillion.

The government’s decision to raise funds through bonds reflects its ongoing efforts to meet financing needs and attract both local and foreign investors.

However, the shortfall indicates a potential mismatch between the government’s funding requirements and investor appetite.

While the auction outcome signifies continued investor confidence in Nigerian securities, it also underscores the importance of closely monitoring government borrowing and fiscal management strategies to ensure sustainable debt levels and investor trust in the market.