Nigeria’s strategy to reduce its dependence on oil is proving effective, with the non-oil sector contributing 95.40 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The oil sector, however, only accounted for a scant 4.60 percent during this period.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had previously communicated its plans to rebase the GDP but has since reverted to the traditional approach.

Although there was no explanation from the statistics house on why it failed to rebase the GDP, speculations are that it stepped back because of the backlash it received from the rebased CPI figures it released just last week.

Analysts say the inability to release rebased GDP figures is a significant concern, noting that rebased figures are essential for providing an accurate and up-to-date picture of the economy.

They say that without rebasing, the GDP figures may not accurately reflect the current structure and size of the Nigerian economy, particularly given the rapid changes in sectors like technology and services.

The reform measures introduced by the present administration brought with them intense hardship on the populace. With high inflation draining the purchasing power of the citizens, many businesses have either shut down or found their way out of the country, throwing many into the unemployment market.

According to the report released yesterday, the gross domestic product (GDP) in real terms grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024 on a year-on-year basis, which is 0.38 percentage points higher than the rate recorded in Q4 2023, which was 3.46 per cent.

The report shows that the year 2024 ended with an overall annual GDP growth rate of 3.40 per cent. This is higher than the projections by agencies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which had earlier projected that the country’s GDP would grow by 3.2 per cent in 2024.

The NBS reports that the services sector remains the major driver of the economy, growing by 5.37 per cent and contributing 57.38 per cent to the aggregate GDP. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the real GDP grew by 10.99 per cent in Q4 2024, reflecting a higher production level than in Q3 2024.

The estimated economic activity in real terms for Q4 2024 stood at ₦22,610,393.45 million, which is higher than the rates recorded in Q3 2024 and Q4 2023, which stood at ₦20,115,766.93 million and ₦21,773,263.25 million, respectively.

In nominal terms, aggregate GDP stood at ₦78,374,120.95 million in Q4 of 2024, indicating a year-on-year nominal growth rate of 18.91 per cent.
This is higher than the value of ₦65,908,258.59 million in Q4 2023 and ₦71,131,091.07 million in the preceding quarter.

The NBS reports that the economic performance of the non-oil sector in Q4 2024 is attributed to the growth recorded in some economic activities, including rail transport and pipelines, metal ores, financial institutions, road transport, quarrying and other minerals, and insurance.

An analysis of the report shows that the major contributing economic activities in real terms in the quarter under review are crop production (23.42 per cent), trade (15.11 per cent), telecommunication (14.40 per cent), real estate (5.88 per cent), financial institutions (5.76 per cent), and crude petroleum (4.60 per cent).

The agricultural sector grew by 1.76 per cent, while the industry grew by 2.00 per cent, showing a decline compared to the rate recorded in Q4 2023 at 2.10 per cent and 3.86 per cent.

The report shows that agriculture contributed 25.59 per cent, industry 17.03 per cent, and services 57.38 per cent. Agriculture and industry’s contributions were less than their contributions in Q4 of 2023 by 0.53 per cent and 0.31 percentage points. The services sector had the highest contribution to the GDP in Q4 2024, surpassing its contribution in the corresponding quarter of 2023 by 0.83 percentage points.

The annual contributions of the economic sectors show that agriculture contributed 24.64 per cent in 2024, which is lower compared to its contribution of 25.18 per cent in 2023. Similarly, the industry sector’s annual contribution was 18.47 per cent, which is also lower than the figure recorded for 2023, which was 18.65 per cent.

However, the services sector’s contribution for 2024 was 56.89 per cent, exceeding the 56.18 per cent recorded for 2023.

Further disaggregation of the economic activities into oil and non-oil sectors shows that oil GDP grew by 1.48 per cent in Q4 2024, which is a decline compared to 12.11 per cent recorded in Q4 2023 and the previous quarter of Q3 2024, which stood at 5.17 per cent.

The annual oil GDP for 2024 grew by 5.54 per cent, which is 7.75 per cent higher than the annual GDP recorded for 2023 (-2.22 per cent), while the annual contribution of oil stood at 5.51 per cent in 2024, higher than its contribution in Q4 2023, which was 5.40 per cent.

The report also shows that the fourth quarter of 2024 recorded an average daily oil production of 1.54 million barrels per day (mbpd), lower than the daily average production of 1.56 mbpd recorded in the same quarter of 2023 by 0.03 mbpd.

On the contrary, the fourth quarter of 2024 production volume was higher than that of the third quarter of 2024 (1.47 mbpd) by 0.06 mbpd.

Reacting to the GDP report, Professor Godwin Oyedokun of Lead City University, Ibadan, said the GDP growth is a moderately positive sign, but the lack of rebased figures raises concerns.

He said, “The Nigerian government needs to address the challenges of data collection and rebasing, as well as focus on inclusive growth and economic diversification. This lack of current data makes it harder to properly create effective economic policy.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set its sights on reducing inflation to a single digit in the medium to long term, following the recent rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and subsequent decline in inflation to 24.48 per cent.

CBN Governor, Dr Olayemi Cardoso, who spoke yesterday at a press briefing after the first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of 2025, reiterated the apex bank’s commitment to orthodox monetary policies, noting that the positive outcomes so far indicate that inflation is trending downward.

He said that after two days of deliberation, the MPC decided to maintain all key monetary policy parameters, including the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.50 per cent, the asymmetric corridor around the MPR at +500/-100 basis points, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 50.00 per cent for Deposit Money Banks and 16.00 per cent for Merchant Banks, and the Liquidity Ratio at 30.00 per cent.

Clarifying the impact of the rebased CPI, Cardoso explained that the lower inflation figure should not be misinterpreted.

He underlined the need to analyse more data before drawing comparisons, noting that the CBN is currently assessing the figures and will provide further guidance in due course.

Despite the complexities, he pointed out that inflation is gradually declining, supported by the recent stability and appreciation of the foreign exchange rate, with the differential between the official and parallel markets now less than one percent.

He stressed the critical importance of collaboration between monetary and fiscal authorities in sustaining recent economic improvements.

He cited the recent Monetary Policy Forum as an example, where stakeholders from the organised private sector, Bureau de Change operators, and government representatives, including the Minister of Finance, participated.

Cardoso noted that both sides are committed to deepening their dialogue and holding regular meetings to address key economic issues proactively.

Addressing concerns about the impact of elevated borrowing costs on economic growth, the CBN Governor assured that the apex bank’s primary objective is to stabilize the foreign exchange and financial markets.

He expressed confidence that such stability would attract increased foreign investments, stimulating the much-needed economic growth.

He also highlighted the competitiveness of the Nigerian currency, which has spurred growing interest from international investors.

Cardoso said that improved oil production, reaching 1.54 million barrels per day by the end of January 2025, would strengthen Nigeria’s current account position and positively impact external reserves. Despite prevailing macroeconomic challenges, the MPC observed that the banking sector remains resilient. However, the Committee urged the CBN to maintain vigilant oversight, particularly in light of ongoing banking system recapitalisation, ensuring that only quality capital is injected.

The MPC noted several factors expected to positively influence price dynamics in the near to medium term, including the stabilisation of the foreign exchange market, the moderation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices, and the federal government’s efforts to improve security in food-producing areas.

The Committee emphasised the need for continued collaboration between monetary and fiscal authorities to maintain and build upon these gains.

Additionally, the MPC acknowledged improvements in the external sector, with the convergence of exchange rates between the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and Bureau de Change (BDC) operators.

The Committee commended CBN’s recent measures, such as the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System and the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Code, aimed at enhancing transparency and credibility in the forex market.

The MPC expressed confidence that recent monetary and fiscal policy measures would attract increased foreign direct investment, portfolio inflows, and diaspora remittances as investor confidence grows.

The Committee also assured of its commitment to sustaining these measures to anchor inflation expectations, ease exchange rate pressures, deepen financial inclusion, and enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission mechanisms.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), on Wednesday, stated that no law prohibits Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from importing when necessary.

The NMDPRA, while saying that all the petroleum products imported to the country this year are of standard quality, clarified that the NNPCL has not imported the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol this year.

The Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, who made this disclosure in a press briefing in Abuja, noted that local refineries met 50 per cent national consumption requirement while the shortfall is imported by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

He explained that the contribution of local refineries has been less than a 60 per cent shortfall in January and February 2025.

He however specifically noted that none of the OMCs that owned refineries have imported petroleum products this year.

In his words, “So, just for clarity, what I am saying is that the contribution of local refining towards the sufficiency was less than 60 per cent in January and less than 50 percent in February 2025.

He added that “the shortfall is sourced by way of importation. Even though none of the OMCs that owned refineries have imported this year PMS.”

On quality, he said the NMDPRA always insists that all petroleum products meet the specifications of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

According to him, the Authority does not permit the distribution of products that fall short of quality standards.

“You must meet those specifications, otherwise we will not let those products be distributed,” he said.

He announced that the NMDPRA has banned trucks carrying over 60,000 litres of hydrocarbon products from loading effectively from 1st March 2025.

Similarly, a statement by the NNPC spokesman, Femi Soneye, on Tuesday, while reacting to a report on the alleged importation of 200million litres, noted that while NNPC Limited has not imported PMS in 2025, “it is important to clarify that there is no law prohibiting NNPC Limited from importing when necessary”.

He added in the statement that “As a company primarily responsible for ensuring energy security in Nigeria if there were any PMS supply insufficiency in the future, NNPC Limited has the right and responsibility to intervene by importing to bridge the gap.”