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Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Hits 22.22% -NBS
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 22.22 per cent on a year-on-year basis in April 2023.
This is according to the NBS Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for April 2023 released in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the report, the figure is 0.18 per cent points higher compared to the 22.04 per cent recorded in March 2023.
It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in March 2023 was 5.40 per cent higher than the rate recorded in April 2022 at 16.82 per cent.
“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in April 2023 when compared to the same period in April 2022,’’ it said.
The report showed that contributions of items on divisional level increase in the headline index, are food and non-alcoholic beverages at 11.51 per cent.
While housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel at 3.72 per cent.
Others are clothing and footwear at 1.70 per cent; transport at 1.45 per cent; furnishings, household equipment and maintenance at 1.12 per cent and education at 0.88 per cent, and health at 0.67 per cent.
“Miscellaneous goods and services at 0.37 per cent; restaurant and hotels at 0.27 per cent; alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola at 0.24 per cent; recreation and culture at 0.15 per cent and communication at 0.15 per cent.”
It said the percentage change in the All-Items Index in April 2023 was 1.91 per cent on a month-on-month basis.
“This indicates a 0.05 per cent increase compared to the 1.86 per cent recorded in March 2023.
“This means that in April 2023, on average, the general price level was 0.05 per cent higher relative to March 2023.”
The percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending April 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12 months period was 20.82 per cent.
“This indicates a 4.37 per cent increase compared to the 16.45 per cent recorded in April 2022.’’
It said increases were recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the headline index.
The report said the food inflation rate in April 2023 was 24.61 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 6.24 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in April 2022 at 18.37 per cent.
“The rise in food inflation is caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yams and other tubers, and oil and fat, fish, vegetable, fruits, meat, and spirits.”
It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in April was 2.13 per cent, which was a 0.06 per cent rise compared to the rate recorded in March 2023 at 2.07 per cent.
The report said the “All items less farm produce’’ or Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce stood at 20.14 per cent in April 2023 on a year-on-year basis.
“This increased by 5.96 per cent compared to 14.18 per cent recorded in April 2022.’’
“On a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 1.46 per cent in April 2023, which was a 0.78 per cent drop compared to what it stood at in March 2023 at 1.84 per cent.”
According to the report, the highest increases were recorded in prices of gas, passenger transport by Air, liquid fuel, fuels, lubricants for Personal transport equipment, and vehicles spare parts.
“Others are maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment and solid fuel, medical services, and passenger transport by road, among others.
“The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 17.91 per cent for the 12 months ending April 2023, this was 4.23 per cent points higher than the 13.68 per cent recorded in April 2022.”
The report said on a year-on-year basis in April 2023, that the urban inflation rate was 23.39 per cent, which was 6.05 per cent higher compared to the 17.35 per cent recorded in April 2022.
“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 2.05 per cent in April 2023, representing a 0.05 per cent rise compared to March 2023 at 2.00 per cent.’’
It said the corresponding 12-month average for the urban inflation rate was 21.50 per cent in April 2023.
“This was 4.49 per cent higher compared to the 17.01 per cent reported in April 2022.’’
The report said on a year-on-year basis in April 2023, the rural inflation rate was 21.14 per cent, which was 4.82 per cent higher compared to the 16.32 per cent recorded in April 2022.
“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in April 2023 was 1.78 per cent, which increased by 0.06 per cent compared to March 2023 at 1.72 per cent.’’
It said the corresponding 12-month average for the rural inflation rate in April 2023 was 20.18 per cent, which was 4.27 per cent higher compared to the 15.91 per cent recorded in April 2022.
On states’ profile analysis, the report showed in April 2023, all items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Bayelsa at 26.14 per cent, followed by Kogi at 25.57 per cent, and Rivers at 24.95 per cent.
It, however, said the slowest rise in headline year-on-year inflation was recorded in Borno at 19.60 per cent, followed by Taraba at 19.64 per cent, and Sokoto at 19.90 per cent.
The report, however, said in April 2023, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Cross River at 3.05 per cent, Bayelsa at 2.92 per cent and Rivers at 2.62 per cent.
“ Katsina at 0.52 per cent, followed by Jigawa at 0.74 per cent and Osun at 0.96 per cent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation.”
The report said food inflation in April 2023, on a year-on-year basis, was highest in Kogi at 29.50 per cent, followed by Kwara at 29.48 per cent, and Bayelsa at 29.38per cent.
“ Sokoto at 19.55 per cent, followed by Taraba at 20.20 per cent and Jigawa at 20.68 per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.’’
The report, however, said on a month-on-month basis, April 2023 food inflation was highest in Cross River at 4.65 per cent, followed by Bayelsa at 3.61 per cent, and Ekiti at 3.49 per cent.
“ With Jigawa at 0.14 per cent, followed by Katsina at 0.44 per cent and Osun at 0.62 per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation.’’
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.
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