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President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the National Bureau of Statistics’ new report on the country’s trade balance.
The report stated that Nigeria recorded another trade surplus in the second quarter of 2024, hitting N6.95tn, essentially driven by exports to Europe, the United States and Asia.
“The current surplus is 6.60 per cent higher than the N6.52tn surplus recorded in the first quarter,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, quoted the report in a statement he signed on Thursday.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu assures of a robust economy.’
In its Q2 2024 report, the NBS revealed that European and American countries dominated Nigeria’s top export destinations.
Spain emerged as the largest export partner, receiving goods valued at N2.01tn, accounting for 10.34 per cent of Nigeria’s total exports.
The United States followed closely with N1.86 trillion (9.56 per cent), while France imported N1.82tn of Nigerian goods, representing 9.37 per cent of total exports.
Nigeria’s other major export partners include India (N1.65tn or 8.50 per cent) and the Netherlands (N1.38tn).
According to Onanuga, “Just days after the country recorded almost 100 per cent oversubscription of its first $500m domestic bond and half-year revenue of N9.1tn, the latest report underscores the increasing positive shifts in the economy over the last year.
“President Tinubu expresses confidence in the reforms his administration is pursuing and believes they will create a more robust economy that will usher in a new era of prosperity for Nigerians.”
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He noted that the NBS report reflects the country’s strong export performance in the second quarter.
Although total merchandise trade in Q2 2024 stood at N31.89tn, a 3.76 per cent decline compared to the preceding quarter (Q1 2024), it marked a 150.39 per cent rise from the corresponding period in 2023.
Also, total exports stood at N19.42tn, accounting for 60.89 per cent of the country’s total trade.
This represents a 1.31 per cent increase from N19.17tn in the first quarter and a 201.76 per cent surge from N6.44tn recorded in Q2 2023.
The dominance of crude oil exports remains a key factor in this performance, contributing N14.56tn, or 74.98 per cent of total exports.
Non-crude oil exports, valued at N4.86tn, comprised 25.02 per cent of the total export value, with non-oil products contributing N1.94tn.
The strong export performance, particularly in crude oil, ensured Nigeria maintained a favourable trade balance.
The presidential aide asserted that “Generally, the economic indicators, which were very low when President Tinubu assumed office last year, are turning positive.”
He said, “The government will continue to consolidate on the gains of the reforms as more fiscal and tax policy reforms already embarked upon by the administration come to fruition, adding, “President Tinubu is determined to confront the inhibitions that have stunted the growth and development necessary to unlock the country’s full potential.”
