News

Money supply hits all time high at 56% to N101trn in June

Published

5 months ago

August 3, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Money supply (M3), which is a broad measure of the total amount of money in an economy, has surpassed N100 trillion, reaching an all-time high for the country.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shows that M3 rose to a record N101.34 trillion in June 2024, represents a 56.15 percent increase to N64.90 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of June 2023.
When the money supply increases, it can lead to higher inflation. As more money chases the same amount of goods and services, prices tend to rise. This means that households might face higher living costs for everyday items, reducing their purchasing power, said a Lagos-based economist.
On a month-on-month basis, money supply increased by 2.11 percent from N99.23 trillion in May 2024. M3 is used by economists to estimate the total amount of money available in an economy, which can influence inflation, interest rates, and overall economic activity.

This is despite the monetary tightening of the CBN. The CBN has issued over N1.5 trillion in Open Market Operation (OMO) bills since Olayemi Cardoso took the helm as governor in a bid to stem inflation and prop up the naira, whose steep decline has unsettled the economy.
“The increased money supply is as a result of the expanded government revenue on the back of the persistent naira depreciation and improved performance of the oil sector,” said Ayokunle Olubunmi, head of financial institutions ratings at Agusto Consulting.

The Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday doubled government’s borrowing limit from the CBN, known as Ways and means, from five percent threshold to 10 percent amid excess liquidity concerns. Ways and Means is provided by the CBN to finance the Federal Government’s budget shortfalls. This facility allows the government to borrow from the CBN to secure short-term or emergency funding for critical projects.

The CBN’s data revealed that currency in circulation (CIC) rose to an all-time high of N4.05 trillion in June 2024. It jumped by 55.77 percent year-on-year from N2.60 trillion in June 2023. Money in circulation increased by 2.27 percent from N3.96 trillion in May 2024.

“While the increase in CIC may suggest improved economic activity in nominal terms and higher consumer spending, it also highlights the risk of inflation, particularly if money supply growth exceeds real output growth,” analysts at FBNQuest said.

According to a report by FBNQuest indicates continued expansion in liquidity despite the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) hawkish measures to tighten liquidity and control inflation.
Latest data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows an inflation rate of 34.2 percent in June 2024, up from 22.8 percent in June 2023.

According to the data, net credit to the government declined by 10.18 percent to N28.05 trillion in June 2024 from N31.23 trillion in June 2023. On a month on month basis, it dropped by 0.32 percent from N28.37 trillion recorded in May 2024.

Credit to the private sector decreased to N73.12 trillion in one month (June 2024), representing 1.60 percent over N74.31 trillion in May 2024. Against the corresponding period, it rose by 38.46 percent from N52.81 trillion in June 2023

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

4 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

News

Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

4 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

News

Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

4 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”