Benin — The Nigeria's economy grew by 7.68 per cent in the second quarter, the Central Bank has said.

The CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who disclosed this after a cabinet meeting in Abuja said the economy went up from 6.68 per cent the previous quarter to 7.68 per cent.

"The economy has maintained a steady sustainable growth of 7.68 per cent, especially in the non-oil sectors led by agriculture, retail trade, services and construction," he said. The apex bank said that the economy would grow by 7.53 per cent this year, up from 6.66 per cent in 2009.

Sanusi also gave a bright outlook for the nation's economy, with moderate inflation and a stable foreign exchange market.

"The Nigerian economy remains resilient and the near to medium-term outlook is positive," he said

However, traders said that crude oil exports are set to top two million barrels per day for the third month running in September, as the sector improved output reliability.

They said that the country would export an average of 2.10 million bpd of crude oil in September, up slightly from a revised 2.08 million bpd in August, according to data from oil companies and traders.