Business

JUST IN: Nigeria’s Inflation Hit 31.70% In February – NBS

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2024

Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 31.70 per cent in February from 29.90 per cent recorded in January 2024.

This figure indicates an increase of 1.80 per cent, the National Bureau of Statistics said in its latest CPI and inflation report released on Friday.

This indicates that in February 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level was more than the rate of increase in the average price level in January 2024.

The report read, “In February 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 31.70 per cent relative to the January 2024 headline inflation rate which was 29.90 per cent.”

Comparatively, on an annual basis, February 2024’s inflation rate was 9.79 per cent higher than the 21.91 per cent recorded in February 2023.

Also, the month-on-month headline inflation rate in February 2024 reached 3.12%, an increase of 0.48% from January 2024’s rate of 2.64%.

This indicates that the pace at which average prices rose in February 2024 exceeded the rate of price increase in January 2024.

The NBS further stated, “Looking at the movement, the February 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.80 percent points when compared to the January 2024 headline inflation rate. On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 9.79 percent points higher compared to the rate recorded in February 2023, which was 21.91 percent.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in the month of February 2024 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., February 2023).

“Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in February 2024 was 3.12 percent, which was 0.48 percent higher than the rate recorded in January 2024 (2.64 percent).”

The latest inflationary surge is despite tightened monetary policy by the Central Bank.

At the latest Monetary Policy Meeting, the apex bank increased the benchmark interest rate by 400 basis points to a record 22.75 per cent.

Justifying reasons for the hike, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, explained that members considered various scenarios including whether to hold or hike policy and concluded that inflation could become more persistent in the medium term and pose more regulatory issues if not well-anchored.

Thus, members voted for a significantly high policy rate hike to drive down the inflation rate substantially.

He mentioned that the meeting extensively discussed various distortions in the foreign exchange market, particularly the impact of speculators exerting upward pressure on the exchange rate, leading to a significant pass-through effect on inflation.

The consensus reached involved a substantial policy rate hike aimed at effectively reducing inflation.

Business

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

Published

2 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

2 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.

Business

Naira Records Second Consecutive Depreciation Against US Dollar

Published

1 week ago

November 12, 2025

Editor

The Naira recorded its second consecutive depreciation against the United States dollar at the foreign exchange market on Tuesday to continue the bearish trend this week.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the Naira further weakened on Tuesday to N1,438.71 against the dollar, down from N1,437.2933 exchanged on Monday.

This means that the Naira again dropped by N1.42 against the dollar on Tuesday on a day-to-day basis.

At the black market, the Naira remained flat at N1465 per dollar on Tuesday, the same rate traded on Monday.

This is the second consecutive decline of Nigerian currency at the official market since the commencement of this week.

Meanwhile, the country’s external reserves had continued to rise, standing at $43.37 billion as of Monday, 10th November 2025, up from $43.35 billion on November 7.