The Federal Government of Nigeria has opened discussions with the World Bank for three new loans totalling one-point-five billion dollars, even as Nigeria's public debt rises to a record 166-point-79 trillion naira.

Documents from the World Bank show that the proposed facilities will provide 500 million dollars each for climate resilience, social protection and early childhood development.

The first facility is an additional 500 million dollars for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes project, known as ACReSAL. The proposed funding will increase the size of the project from its previously approved 700 million dollars to one-point-two billion dollars.

The facility is expected to support landscape restoration, flood and erosion management, irrigation, water storage, reforestation and other climate-resilient interventions across 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The second proposed 500 million dollar facility is for the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project.

The third facility, also worth 500 million dollars, is for the Nigeria Early Childhood Development programme. The project will cover all 36 states and the FCT and focus on improving access to healthcare, nutrition, early learning, childcare, water and sanitation for children aged zero to five.