The outbreak of coronavirus in China has caused uncertainty among concerned operators in the Nigerian economy as oil prices continue to slide downward below the nation’s budget benchmark. PREMIUM TIMES’ check at 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday morning showed Brent crude, the main international price, stood at $54.82 per barrel, up from about $54.45 on Monday. Earlier in January, the face-off between the United States and Iran had forced prices above $70/barrel. The crisis followed diplomatic rows between both countries after U.S. airstrikes killed a top Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani. However, oil prices slid into bear-market territory again on Tuesday, raising global investors’ concern that China’s coronavirus will hurt the global economy. It is expected that the ripple effect of the virus will reduce demand for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Reports from Beijing showed that there are prospects of canceled flights, closed international borders and uncertainties over operations […]