ABUJA, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Nigeria expects its gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 9.5 percent to 20.29 trillion naira ($172 billion) next year, according to a copy of the draft 2009 budget seen by Reuters on Thursday.
The forecast compares to an expected GDP figure of 18.53 trillion for 2008, according to the document. President Umaru Yar'Adua is expected to seek parliamentary approval for the 2.67 trillion naira draft budget next week. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Nick Tattersall; Editing by Randy Fabi, Swaha Pattanaik)