Recession: Nigeria’s inflation hits 11-year high
- The latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that inflation rate in Nigeria is at a record level
- The December 2016 report by the NBS states that latest rise in inflation is attributed to surges in housing, water and electricity
- Nigeria is in its first recession in 25 years, largely caused by the fall in global oil prices since 2014
Nigeria’s inflation has risen to 18.55 per cent, its highest in more than 11 years, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
According to the December 2016 report, the 0.07 per cent rise from 18.48 per cent recorded in November 2016, was driven by surges in housing, water and electricity, while the food index also rose to 17.39 per cent, against 17.19 per cent.
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The report showed that food index rose by 17.39 percent (year-on-year) in December 2016, up by 0.20 percent points from rate recorded in November (17.19) percent.
During the month, all major food subindexes increased, with soft drinks recording the slowest pace of increase at 7.66 percent (year on year).
Added to this, communication, restaurants and hotels recorded the slowest pace of growth in December, growing at 5.33 per cent and 8.91 per cent (year-on-year) respectively.
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The latest findings by the NBS is coming on the heels of a prediction by the World Bank that Nigeria will get out of recession and grow its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by one per cent in 2017.
Nigeria is in its first recession in 25 years, largely caused by the fall in global oil prices since 2014.
Meanwhile, the presidency has urged Nigerians to be more creative so as to attract more foreign exchange following the scarcity of the United States dollars in the country.
The senior special assistant, (SSA) to president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, made the statement on Friday, January 13, when featuring on Channels TV programme, Politics Today.
Shehu said the issue of dollar scarcity would have been worse but for the measures taken by the government.
Source: Legit.ng
