President Tinubu has welcomed the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS) new report on the country’s trade balance, describing the data as impressive based on the micro and macroeconomic indices and an indication that the current administration’s reforms are achieving the desired results.
The President’s commendation was confirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement issued on Thursday.
Onanuga, who quoted statistical data from the just published ‘Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics (Q2 2024)’ report by the statistics agency to express the President’s position on the merchandize trade trend, noted that Nigeria recorded another trade surplus in the second quarter of 2024, hitting N6.95 trillion, indicating a trade surplus of 6.60% and higher than the N6.52 trillion surplus recorded in the first quarter.
According to him, just days after the country recorded almost 100 percent oversubscription of its first $500 million domestic bond and half-year revenue of N9.1 trillion, the latest report underscores the increasing positive shifts in the economy over the last year.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in the sundry reforms his administration had been pursuing and believed they would create a more robust economy that will usher in a new era of prosperity for Nigerians.
An analysis of the NBS’ report reflected the country’s strong export performance in the second quarter even though total merchandise trade in Q2 2024 stood at N31.89 trillion, representing 3.76% decline compared to the preceding quarter, it marked a 150.39% rise from the corresponding period in 2023.
The President’s spokesman further stated: “The NBS reported that the Q2 surplus was essentially driven by exports to Europe, the United States and Asia.
“Total exports stood at N19.42 trillion, accounting for 60.89% of the country’s total trade. This represents a 1.31% increase from N19.17 trillion in the first quarter and a 201.76% surge from N6.44 trillion recorded in Q2 2023.
“The dominance of crude oil exports remains a key factor in this performance, contributing N14.56 trillion, or 74.98% of total exports.
“Non-crude oil exports, valued at N4.86 trillion, comprised 25.02% of the total export value, with non-oil products contributing N1.94 trillion.
“The strong export performance, particularly in crude oil, ensured Nigeria maintained a favourable trade balance.
“In Q2 2024, European and American countries dominated Nigeria’s top export destinations. Spain emerged as the largest export partner, receiving goods valued at N2.01 trillion, accounting for 10.34% of Nigeria’s total exports.
“The United States followed closely with N1.86 trillion (9.56%), while France imported N1.82 trillion of Nigerian goods, representing 9.37% of total exports”, Onanuga added.
The Bureau’s report reflected that Nigeria’s other major export partners comprised India (N1.65 trillion or 8.50%) and the Netherlands (N1.38 trillion).
Onanuga expressed the President’s excitement over the improving performance of the economy, noting that “generally, the economic indicators, which were very low when President Tinubu assumed office last year, are turning positive.
“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”, he added.
Onanuga maintained that the President was fully determined to confront the inhibitions that had stunted the growth and development necessary to unlock the country’s full potential.
