The National Bureau of Statistics announced that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product  grew by 4.03 per cent in the third quarter of the year (Q3 2021).

The Statistician-General of the Federation and the Chief Executive Officer of the NBS, Mr Simon Harry, explained that the negative GDP figures recorded in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic had serious base effects on the GDP figures for quarters two and three 2021.

He said, “You will recall that the contraction of quarters two and three of 2020 has resulted in positive growth as recorded consecutively for the last three-quarters of quarter four, 2020 with 0.11%, quarter one, 2021 with 0.51% and quarter two, 2021 with 5.01%.

“These base effects continued to quarter three of 2021 recording a growth of 4.03%.”

He added that the improvement seen in the output growth over the last four quarters depicts steady progress made in stemming the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated negative impact on livelihood, well-being and the economy.

“Globally, many countries have witnessed an improvement in economic performances compared to 2020 when COVID-19 was endemic.

“However, in Nigeria, the prospect of full recovery is glaring, provided the current trend of improved economic performance is sustained in the rest of the year and beyond.

“It is important to also mention that annual GDP growth of 2021 stands at -1.92%,” he said.