Business

Fuel Crisis May Affect Inflation, Says Statistician-General

Published

4 years ago

February 15, 2022

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Mr. Simon Harry, has said the present fuel crises being experienced across the nation may have adverse effects on the inflation rate.

He said this on Tuesday in Abuja, at a media conference to announce the January 2022 Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Harry said that the fuel crisis would create an artificial shock in the economy and that the shock was capable of shaking the economy.

“Whether we like it or not, transporters will be taking advantage of the situation, thereby, increasing the costs of transportation.

“As you are bringing your commodities to the market for sale, you will be thinking of adding some amount on the selling costs so that you will be able to recover the costs of transportation.

“So that gives us a negative signal that is capable of affecting not just inflation rate, but also other macro-economic variables such as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and even the unemployment rate.

“I can, however, assure you that certainly, it is not the best for the economy and if we must maintain a stable macroeconomic environment, this kind of crisis certainly is not the best for it is not needed.’’

He added that because the economy was strongly being driven by the private sector, the shock may affect a good number of private businesses as they may not be able to run effectively as expected.

He, however, said that the February inflation rate could not be predicted based on the present fuel crisis as the numbers were still being collected.

On the present rate, the statistician-general said that CPI for January was 15.60 per cent from 15.63 per cent recorded in December 2021.

However, on year-on-year basis, it was 0.87 per cent points lower than the rate recorded in January 2021 (16.47) per cent.

Harry said that the headline index increased by 1.47 per cent in January, 0.34 per cent points lower than 1.82 per cent recorded in December 2021.

NAN/PUNCH

Business

Naira Appreciates Against US Dollar After Highest Dip

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2025

Editor

The Naira bounced back, recording an appreciation against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange market after hitting its lowest point this week.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the Naira strengthened to N1,452.13 on Thursday, up from N1,454.19 traded on Wednesday.

This represents a gain of N2.06 against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.

Meanwhile, in the black market, the Naira depreciated by N5 to N1,470 per dollar on Thursday, down from N1,465 recorded the previous day.

The apex bank’s data indicated that the country’s external reserves continued to rise, standing at $44.12 billion as of 19 November 2025, despite the mixed sentiments in the currency exchange market.

Recall that on Wednesday, the Naira recorded its highest depreciation against the dollar at the official FX market.

Business

Naira Records First Appreciation Against US Dollar As Foreign Reserves Hit $46.7bn

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

The Naira recorded its first appreciation against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange on Tuesday this week.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the Naira strengthened on Tuesday to N1,447.43 per dollar, up from N1,448.03 exchanged on Monday.

This means that the Naira gained N0.6 against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.

Meanwhile at the black market, the Naira remained unchanged at N1,465 per dollar on Tuesday, the same rate exchanged on Monday.

Checks on Nigeria’s foreign reserves showed that it has risen to $43.97 billion as of November 17th, 2025, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s data.

Meanwhile, the apex bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso, in an event on Tuesday, said the country’s foreign reserves rose to a seven-year high of $46.7 billion as of November 14.

Business

Dangote Sugar Announces South New CEO

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

Dangote Sugar Plc has announced Mr Thabo Mabe, a South African, as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

This follows the sudden resignation of Mr Ravindra Singhvi, an Indian.

The company disclosed this in a shareholders’ notice on Tuesday, in compliance with Nigerian Exchange Limited regulations.

Mabe’s appointment takes effect from December 1, while Singhvi’s resignation is effective from November 3ⁿ2025. The firm did not state a reason for Singhvi’s resignation.

“Mr Singhvi made significant contributions to the growth and transformation of the company and leaves behind a record of operational excellence,” the statement, signed by Mrs Temitope Hassan, Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, read.