Economy
Nigeria’s GDP Slows to 3.10% in 2022 Despite 3.52% Growth in Q4
By Adedapo Adesanya
In 2022, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria slowed to 3.10 per cent from 3.40 per cent recorded in the preceding year, 2021.
Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday evening showed that this occurred amid a 3.52 per cent (year-on-year) growth in the economy in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Business Post reports that in the preceding quarter, Q3 of 2022, the country posted economic growth of 2.25 per cent, but when compared with the same quarter of 2021, it moderated from 3.98 per cent.
The performance of the GDP in the fourth quarter of 2022 was driven by the services sector, which recorded a growth of 5.69 per cent and contributed 56.27 per cent to the aggregate GDP.
Although the agriculture sector grew by 2.05 per cent in the reference period, its performance was significantly hampered by severe incidences of flood experienced across the country, accounting for lesser growth relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, which was 3.58 per cent.
Recall that Nigeria faced an unprecedented devastating flood disaster in the second half of the year, which saw 662 persons lose their lives, with 3,174 others suffering injuries and 2,430,445 individuals displaced, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Moreover, the industry sector was yet challenged in the period under review, recording -0.94 per cent growth and contributing less to the aggregate GDP relative to the third quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021.
This means that the performance of the agriculture and industry sectors reduced in 2022 relative to 2021, while the performance of the services sector improved in 2022.
According to the report, in the quarter under review, aggregate GDP stood at N56.7 trillion in nominal terms.
This performance is higher when compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, which recorded aggregate GDP of N49.2 trillion, indicating a year-on-year nominal growth of 15.18 per cent.
The NBS noted that the nation in the fourth quarter of 2022 recorded an average daily oil production of 1.34 million barrels per day, lower than the daily average production of 1.50 million barrels per day recorded in the same quarter of 2021 by 0.16 million barrels per day and higher than the third quarter of 2022 production volume of 1.20 million barrels per day.
It said the real growth of the oil sector was –13.38 per cent (year-on-year) in Q4 2022, indicating a decrease of 5.33 per cent points relative to the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2021.
It explained that growth increased by 9.29 per cent points when compared to Q3 2022, which was –22.67 per cent.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the oil sector recorded a growth rate of -14.93 per cent in Q4 2022.
“However, the annual growth rate of oil stood at -19.22 per cent compared to the -8.30 per cent recorded in 2021.
“The Oil sector contributed 4.34 per cent to the total real GDP in Q4 2022, down from the figures recorded in the corresponding period of 2021 and the preceding quarter, where it contributed 5.19 per cent and 5.66 per cent, respectively. The total annual contribution of oil to aggregate GDP in 2022 was 5.67 per cent,” the report said.
The non-oil sector grew by 4.44 per cent in real terms during the quarter, the NBS said, noting that this rate was lower by 0.29 per cent points compared to the rate recorded in the same quarter of 2021.
This sector was driven in the fourth quarter of 2022 mainly by information and communication (telecommunication), trade, agriculture (crop production), financial and insurance (financial institutions), manufacturing (food, beverage & tobacco), real estate and construction, accounting for positive GDP growth.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The first trading day in the currency market in Nigeria ended bearish for the Naira as its value further weakened against the US Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) on Monday by N2.92 or 0.22 per cent to N1,349.24/$1 from the N1,346.32/$1 it was traded last Friday.
Also in the spot market, the Nigerian currency depreciated against the Pound Sterling by N6.62 during the trading day to close at N1,821.87/£1 versus the preceding session’s N1,815.25/£1, and lost N6.80 on the Euro to settle at N1,591.42/€1, in contrast to the previous rate of N1,584.62/€1.
At the GTBank forex desk, the Nigerian Naira crashed against the greenback yesterday by N1 to quote at N1,357/$1 versus the preceding session’s closing value of N1,356/$1, but in the black market, the Naira appreciated by N5 to close at N1,365/$1 compared with the preceding trading day’s N1,370/$1.
The Naira slide came amid renewed pressure as weekly inflows declined, as Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators were unable to purchase Dollars from banks two weeks after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reopened the official FX Market window to them.
It had been expected that BDCs would help to further deflate the parallel market premium, but according to reports, BDC operators had yet to commence FX purchases from commercial banks, two weeks after the apex bank said legitimate agents can access up to $150,000 from the banks.
There were no FX inflows from the CBN during the past week, according to a report by the research department of Coronation Merchant Bank.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s external reserves, which provide the CBN with firepower to support the naira, rose to $48.77 billion as of February 19, 2026.
Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market was in the red as a broader risk-off shift tied to an emerging “AI scare trade” in equities is weighing on crypto markets.
This is leading traders to sell, while the sharp liquidation events that typically attract dip buyers have seen no such move recently, with Bitcoin (BTC) down by 3.2 per cent to $62,901.86.
Further, Ethereum (ETH) depreciated by 2.5 per cent to $1,821.13, Cardano (ADA) slid 1.9 per cent to $0.2571, Litecoin (LTC) went down by 1.9 per cent to $50.45, Solana (SOL) shrank 1.8 per cent to $76.54, Dogecoin (DOGE) declined by 1.7 per cent to $0.0912, Ripple (XRP) slumped 1.2 per cent to $1.32, and Binance Coin (BNB) lost 0.6 per cent to sell for $589.88, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 each.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Crude oil eased on Monday ahead of a third round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, and amid increased economic uncertainty after the latest US tariff upheaval.
According to data, Brent crude futures lost 27 cents or 0.38 per cent to close at $71.49 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 17 cents or 0.26 per cent to per barrel $66.31.
Iran has indicated its preparedness to make concessions on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions lifting and recognition of its right to enrich uranium.
The Iranian government, facing pressure at home with a growing opposition and globally with threats of a US military strike, appears ready for a third round of Omani-mediated talks with American negotiators this week.
According to reports, the Foreign Minister of Oman, Mr Badr Albusaidi, on Sunday said talks would resume on Thursday, February 26, in Geneva “with a positive push to go the extra mile toward finalising the deal” over Iran’s nuclear program.
In separate remarks, the Iranian government suggested talks in the Swiss city on that date. However, there has been no confirmation from the US officials.
The US administration has been pressuring Iran to agree to curtail its nuclear program, which Iran insists is intended for peaceful, civilian purposes, such as electricity generation. The US, along with Israel and others in the West, has accused Iran of intending to build atomic weapons.
US President Donald Trump has dispatched two aircraft carrier strike groups, with dozens of fighter jets and bombers to the region, and other military planes and supporting forces have been spotted flying into air bases in the Middle East.
President Trump said on Saturday that he would raise a temporary tariff from 10 per cent to 15 per cent on US imports from all countries, the maximum allowed under the law.
This came after a US Supreme Court ruling last week struck down key parts of President Trump’s tariff plans, rekindling uncertainty among investors and businesses.
Goldman Sachs lifted its Q4 2026 Brent forecast to $60 and WTI to $56 per barrel, citing lower-than-expected OECD stock levels.
The bank still projects a 2.3 million barrels per day surplus in 2026, assuming no major supply disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) may resume production increases in 2026 amid limited inventory builds and shifting market dynamics.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The investing public has been advised to exercise due diligence before trading stocks on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
This caution was given by the NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo), the independent regulatory arm of the NGX Group Plc.
The advisory became necessary in response to notable price movements observed in the shares of certain listed companies over recent trading sessions.
On Monday, the bourse suspended trading in the shares of newly-listed Zichis Agro-allied Industries Plc. The company’s stocks gained almost 900 per cent within a month of its listing on Customs Street.
In a statement today, NGX RegCo urged investors to avoid speculative trading based on unverified information and to consult licensed intermediaries such as stockbrokers or investment advisers when needed.
It explained that its advisory is part of its standard market surveillance functions, as it serves as a measured reminder for investors to prioritise informed and disciplined decision-making.
The notice emphasised that the Exchange will continue to monitor market activities closely in line with its mandate to ensure a fair, orderly, and transparent market.
“NGX RegCo encourages all investors to base their decisions on publicly available information, including a thorough assessment of company fundamentals, financial performance, and risk profile,” a part of the disclosure said.
It reassured all stakeholders that the NGX remains stable, well-regulated, and resilient, saying the platform continues to foster an environment where investors can participate with confidence, supported by robust oversight and transparent market operations.
“Our primary responsibility is to maintain a level playing field where market participants can trade with confidence, backed by timely and accurate information.
“This advisory is a routine communication, reinforcing that sound fundamentals, not speculation, remain the foundation for sustainable investment outcomes. We are fully committed to preserving the integrity and stability of our market,” the chief executive of NGX RegCo, Mr Olufemi Shobanjo, stated.
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