Macroeconomic Report & Economic Updates
January 15, 2018
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 51)
According to figures released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, employment growth lagged during the recession period, and worsened unemployment/underemployment rates few quarters after. Specifically, unemployment rate rose to 18.8 percent in 2017Q31, up from 16.2 percent in previous quarter (the recession-exit quarter) and 13.9 percent in corresponding quarter. Disaggregated figures reveal that the number of unemployed and underemployed persons in the labour force increased by 17 percent and 2 percent respectively, to 15.9 million and 18.0 million in 2017Q3, majority of which are young persons within ages 15-34.
Related
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 50)
Crude oil price experienced
a mixed week from November 18 to November 25, 2016. Specifically, OPEC basket
price and Brent crude price fluctuated, to a daily average of $44.6 (from
$42.33)and $48.3 (from $46.86)per barrel
respectively. The present oil volatility is as a result of sell-offs,
attributable to speculations/fears of an insufficient production cut by OPEC (in
its bid to control oversupply) - a deal scheduled for its next meeting on
November 30th 2016. This speculations have arisen due to
the reluctance of major OPEC member country (Saudi Arabia) to participate in the
potential oil cut dealwhich could exert a downward pressure on oil
prices. However, oil prices should rise if OPEC members agree to the oil cut
deal. Irrespective of the outcome of the meeting, Nigeria is exempted from the
potential crude oil cut. Thus, it will be optimal for the government to act
quickly to address the insurgence in the Niger Delta region, in order to raise domestic oil production as much as
possible.
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 48)
Crude
oil price decreased in the review week. OPEC weekly basket price reduced by 3.5
percent to $42.06per barrel from November 4, 2016 to November 11,
2016, while Nigerias bonny light price decreased by 1.1 percent to $44.36per barrel in the same period. Global oil market refocused on oversupply, as
indicated in the OPECs October crude data figures (global OPEC and Non-OPEC
oil supply grew by 0.97mb/day to average 96.32mb/day and outpaced demand by
1.92mb/day).