Oil price tumbles below $40 as Europe imposes second COVID-19 lockdown 

Still reeling from the pains of #EndSARS protests and massive infrastructure destruction by hoodlums, Nigeria’s financial projection may have run into another hitch as oil prices fell 5 percent, with WTI Crude sliding to $35 a barrel and Brent $36.89.

This followed renewed lockdowns by two major economies in Europe — Germany, and France — as they are hit by the second wave of the coronavirus.

For Nigeria, the new shutdown is bad news for the economy as it reduces the flow of dollars.

Equally, the 2021 budget, under consideration at the National Assembly is based on a benchmark of $40 per barrel.

As of 10:07 a.m, WTI Crude plunged by 5.27 percent at $35.11, and Brent Crude was plummeting by 4.98 percent at $36.89.

The U.S. benchmark slid to its lowest level since June, while the international crude benchmark Brent dropped below $37 a barrel to its lowest price since May this year.

According to sources , the sell-off in oil intensified this week with market sentiment souring by the day since the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported on Tuesday a bigger build than expected in crude oil inventories of 4.577 million barrels for the week ending October 23.

The build was confirmed on Wednesday by the EIA, and oil prices dived 5 percent on concerns about oil demand with surging COVID-19 cases.

Brent prices had already slid below the $40 a barrel mark on Wednesday, and on Thursday, the rout extended with Brent prices slipping to $36—the lowest level since the middle of May.

The immediate trigger for this was the decision of two of Europe’s largest economies, Germany, and France, to impose a fresh round of lockdowns to curb coronavirus.

From Friday in France, people will be allowed to go out only for shopping for essential items, for medical reasons, or for an hour-long exercise. The measure will last until the end of November, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Germany, the biggest economy in Europe, is also restoring a form of lockdown, although a partial one, for the month of November, restricting social gatherings and closing bars and restaurants except for takeaway.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, has warned Nigerians to keep to COVID -19 protocols, saying the country’s fragile economy cannot afford a second lockdown.

Persecond News reports that Nigeria’s mono economy based on oil, is experiencing spiral inflation with attendant unemployment and abject poverty among the populace.