The Nigerian government has been charged by the International Monetary Fund(IMF) to seek a more fiscal approach in combatting COVID-19 in the country.
Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director, Africa, IMF Africa Department, made during this plea at a press briefing to unveil the IMF Regional Economic  Outlook for Sub Saharan Africa, at the ongoing  World Bank/IMF Spring Meeting, Washington, United States.
He noted that while the medium-term focus for Nigerian government is revenue mobilization, the immediate focus now should be on how to deploy resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. He said: “In the near term, no amount of resources should be spent in putting behind the health crises that Nigeria faces from COVID-19 pandemic. So we see scope for more support of policies

Read Also: IMF board Acknowledges Nigeria’s $3.4bn Loan Application, Meets Soon To Consider Request

“On the fiscal side, Nigeria has requested for more support under the Rapid Financing Instrument. This is a quick dispensing resource that the government can use to strengthen health spending, to provide social support to people. “There is also scope for having the monetary/exchange rate policy framework that will be supportive of the fiscal stance. So we look forward to those policies to be adopted to support Nigeria put this crisis behind it.