Total
geographical distribution of credit by state increased by 1.82 percent to N18.9
trillion in the second quarter of 2020 from N18.56 trillion in the first
quarter of 2020.1 Lagos State (N14.92 trillion) accounted for
78.94 percent of the total credit. Further disaggregation shows N77.6
billion was distributed as loan for mortgages in 2019 compared to N25
billion in 2018. 220,935 individuals registered for the National Housing Fund,
representing a 33.6 percent increase from 2018. Also, N4 trillion was
distributed under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund in 2019, an
increase from N2.9 trillion in 2018. The increase in credit particularly
towards the agriculture sector will not only improve the living standard of
beneficiaries but also enhance development through an increase in economic
activities and trade; alongside building the resilience of the economy by
improving the balance of payment account. However, providing loan guarantees to
borrowers can considerably increase the contingent liability of the government
with implications on its fiscal performance. As such, a cost-benefit analysis
of these credit facility programmes and other available options to boost
economic activities is required in order to determine the best approach.
November 6, 2020
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 42)
Related
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 44)
Recently released Nigerias
petroleum imports data, show a significant decline in the quantity and value of
petroleum import products (PMS, AGO and NHK) between 2015 and 2016.
Specifically, value of imports significantly declined year-on-year (January to
April) by 30.4 percent to N571 billion in 2016. The huge decline in
the import of (refined) petroleum products likely reflects the lower
(unrefined) crude oil production/exports. Furthermore, it is likely that the
import of petroleum products could decline in subsequent years; however, this
is dependent on the prospects of the three domestic refineriesbeing refurbished.
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 4)
Recently released labour force report by the NBS shows a quarter-over-quarter increase in Nigerias working age and labour force population. Working population rose from 110.29 million in 2017Q2, to 111.13 million persons in 2017Q32. The working age population in 2017Q3 constituted 85.08 million persons in the labour force (an increase from 83.94 million), of which 40 percent were either unemployed or underemployed. Thus, total employed persons in the quarter reached 69.1 million.