Business

Nigerian Economy Shrinks By N63bn, 28 Sectors Struggle

Published

3 years ago

August 30, 2022

Twenty-eight sectors of the economy declined in the second quarter of 2022 as real Gross Domestic Product shrunk by N63.49bn quarter-on-quarter.

While real GDP grew by 3.54 per cent year-on-year in Q2 2022, it declined by 0.37 per cent from the N17.35tn that was recorded in the first quarter of 2021 to N17.29tn in Q2, 2022, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

The NBS blamed this decline on lower economic activity that was witnessed in Q1 2021. The analysis of real GDP data revealed that only 18 of the 46 NBS captured economic activity sectors experienced growth in the quarter under review.

According to the data from the statistics body, the agriculture sector witnessed mixed positives, with two sub-sectors witnessing growth and the other two recording a decline. Crop production grew from N3.39tn to N3.59tn; livestock declined from N318.49bn to N282.02bn; forestry grew from N44.14bn to N51.28bn; while fishing declined from N125.46bn to N88.3bn.

In the mining and quarrying sector, crude petroleum and natural gas declined from N1.15tn to N1.09tn; coal mining grew from N1.61bn to N4.79bn; metal ores declined from N4.87bn to N1.26bn; and quarrying other minerals grew from N363.29m to N25.51bn.

The 2022 has been a tough year for the manufacturing sector with inflation and foreign exchange scarcity negatively impacting growth. Only three of the 13 subsectors in the manufacturing sector recorded any growth in the quarter under review.

Oil refining grew from N1.66bn to N2.82bn; cement declined from N188.81bn to N143.74bn; food, beverage and tobacco declined from N875.94bn to N760.08bn; textile, apparel, and footwear declined from N342.48bn to N283.34bn; wood and wood products declined from N53.81bn to N44.41bn; whereas pulp, paper, and paper products declined from N13.38bn to N9.70bn.

Chemical and pharmaceutical products grew from N42.75bn to N47.37bn; non-metallic products declined from N63.52bn to N49.24bn; plastic and rubber products declined from N60.12bn to N53.01bn; electrical and electronics increased from N839.34m to N921.50m; basic metal, iron and steel declined from N39.93bn to N37.31bn; motor vehicles and assembly declined from N9.53bn to N7.63bn; and other manufacturing declined from N76.07bn to N55.55bn

The electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sector grew from N32.72bn to N118.79bn. The water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation sector grew from N39.06bn to N61.12bn. Construction declined from N725.99bn to N554.11bn. The trade sector grew from N2.79tn to N2.91tn.

Accommodation and food services also recorded a decline from N173.41bn to N68.17bn. Under the transportation and storage sector, road transport grew from N151.97bn to N293.85bn; rail transport and pipelines declined from N40.96m to 19.92m; water transport increased from N802.77m to N1.04bn; air transport declined from N25.26bn to N9.69bn; transport services grew from N7.11bn to N11.14bn; and post and courier services declined from N6.26bn to N2.42bn.

Seen as one of the bright spots of the economy, telecommunications and information services under the information and communication sector grew from N2.25tn to N2.59tn; publishing declined from N5.45bn to N4.66bn; motion pictures, sound recording and music production declined from N229.67bn to N157.57bn; and broadcasting grew from N330.47bn to N433.43bn.

The arts, entertainment and recreation sector declined from N35.69bn to N51.85bn. In the financial and insurance sector, the financial institutions subsector declined and insurance declined from N85.11bn to N80.18bn.

The real estate sector was one of the sectors that shrunk, declining from N927.32bn to N920.49bn. The professional, scientific and technical services sector fell from N560.47bn to N525.94bn; administrative and support services grew from N3.39bn to N3.54bn; public administration also grew from N283.59bn to N375.59bn, but education fell from N333.06bn to N231.85bn.

While the other services sector declined from N702.74bn to N473.72bn, the human health and social services sector increased from N126.01bn to N131.28bn.

According to Associate Professor of Economics at the Pan Atlantic University, Olalekan Aworinde, real GDP was the true reflection of the economic status of a country.

He said, “Nominal GDP is the market value of goods and services produced at a particular period. Real GDP is when you have the nominal GDP, and inflation factored in. It is the nominal GDP indexed with inflation.”

In a statement addressing the general GDP, the Founder /Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, disclosed that productivity and competitiveness issues had continued to negatively impact performance across sectors of the economy.

He stated that the general operating environment of the nation was also very challenging for most investors, with SMEs particularly more vulnerable to prevailing macroeconomic shocks, resulting in high mortality rate for small businesses.

He said, “Many businesses are struggling to cope with the numerous challenges and shocks to the economy. On the welfare front, the citizens are also experiencing serious economic hardship as a result of the galloping inflation and the impact on purchasing power.”

PUNCH

Business

Dangote Fuel Sells Cheaper In Togo Than In Nigeria – Falana Laments

Published

13 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, has lamented that fuel taken from Dangote is cheaper in Togo than in Nigeria.

Falana expressed his concerns on Sunday while responding to questions in an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.

He urged the federal government to review the proposed 5 per cent fuel surcharge and ensure that further hardship is not imposed on Nigerians.

“I guess the government wants to go back to the drawing table and ensure that it is not accused of multiple taxes or double taxation because consumers will pay VAT for buying fuel. They will now put an additional 5 per cent tax.

“I think this is what Nigerians are complaining about. And from what we just read today is that the Dangote fuel taken from Nigeria is now cheaper in Togo than in Nigeria I think about 65 naira.

“So, the government will have to review these developments (the proposed 5 per cent fuel surcharge) and ensure more hardship is not imposed on Nigerians,” he said.

Business

Falana Reveals Those Behind Subsidy Removal

Published

13 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has once again criticised President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy.

Speaking in an interview on Sunday’s Politics, a programme on Channels Television, the human rights activist stated that no country in the world has completely abolished subsidies.

“There’s no way you can remove subsidy completely. No country in the entire world has abolished subsidies completely.

“Even leading Western countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France and others subsidise electricity, agriculture, and many aspects of the lives of their people.

“So, when the Nigerian Government said it was removing subsidies, as a matter of fact, if I must say this, it was the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, IMF, that insisted that the government must remove all subsidies,” he said.

Business

‘We Like Greek Gifts,’ Nigerians Blast NUPENG Over Dangote’s Fuel Price Reduction

Published

2 days ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

The decision of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to warn Nigerians against accepting Dangote Refinery’s recent fuel price reduction has drawn heavy backlash on social media, with many citizens mocking the union and embracing what they described as “much-needed relief.”

Dangote had announced lower petrol pump prices in several states alongside a new scheme to deploy compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks directly to filling stations, a move expected to reduce logistics costs.

But NUPENG dismissed the offer as a “Greek gift,” alleging that the refinery was undermining workers’ rights, sidelining the union, and pushing drivers into a rival association.

However, netizens have lambasted the union, querying that during hard times, NUPENG has never supported the masses.

On X (formerly Twitter), Nigerians quickly turned NUPENG’s warning into a trending topic, using humour and sarcasm to lampoon the union.

Oloye Somorin Osifeso (@OloyeSomorin) wrote: “We like Greek gifts in my garage.”

Just Jude (@JustJude) asked bluntly: “Is it your deception?”

Oladele (@Oladele) quipped: “As Dangote Refinery dey offer Nigerians Greek gift, why can’t NUPENG too offer Nigerians French gift?”

Agbalaka (@Agbalaka) queried: “Can they tell Nigerians what exactly they are fighting about?”

CBN Gov Akinsola (@Akinsola) joked: “Then give us Trojan gift now 😆. Man do man. Man no go vex.”

Omobalaji (@Omobalaji) teased: “NUPENG, oya surprise us with Arabian gifts.”

Habdulakeem Bahdmus (@BahdmusHabdulakeem) added: “If Dangote is showering Nigerians with Greek gift, NUPENG can also set up a Roman gift now.”

Femi Yekinni (@FemiYekinni) steered it back to reality: “We thank them for their advice. Now, @DangoteGroup pls how do we schedule deliveries to Badagry?”

Curtis Abbi (@CurtisAbbi) slammed the union: “Nigerians will manage the Greek gift. @officialNUPENG9, what gift have you given Nigerians in your entire years of existence? NUPENG should offer Nigerians their own Somalian gift 🤣.”

Akin Adejola (@AkinAdejola) echoed the sentiment: “LOL. I can bet Nigerians don’t mind the gift. NUPENG should gift Nigerians same ‘Greek gift’ too if they have any goodwill. NUPENG is the enemy of progress in the oil & gas sector.”

Adeola Akinwande (@adeolarewaju9) criticised union leaders: “Does NUPENG remember Nigerians at hard times? They have all failed Nigerians the same way the @NLCHeadquarters has failed. They are living big on unionism and cashing out big time. Without unionism, some of their excos are nobody. They should stop the crocodile tears.”

Okunwa U. U. Azikiwe (@OkunwaUUazikiwe) argued: “Competition has created jealousy by the previous monopoly in the sale of fuel. They have lost control, and it is paining them that they are no longer in control. SMH!!!”

Solihull Abdulkareem (@SolihullAbdul) chipped in: “NUPENG or whatever, do you want the market to be monopoly? You’ve been doing what you want for many years. It’s time for change, just accept it and move forward.”

Temidayo (@Temidayo) asked: “It’s a lie. What benefits has your union provided for Nigerians? Middlemen syndrome has been room for corruption. Your association should go and buy shares in Dangote and work together to make Nigeria great.”

And LegalTech Sam Akanbi (@SamAkanbi) summed up: “Nigerians no longer want your Nigerian gift, we want the Greek gift. If you have a better offer, we’d abandon Dangote’s Greek gift and take yours. But for now, let the Greek gift go round.”

Recall that NUPENG earlier alleged that Dangote Refinery was forcing truck drivers to abandon its union for a rival group, the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA).

The union also accused Dangote of undermining collective bargaining rights and violating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed under government supervision.

Dangote, however, denies the claims, insisting that union membership remains voluntary and that its delivery scheme is designed to cut costs and ease supply.

The federal government has intervened, with the Ministry of Labour and the Department of State Services mediating between both parties.