LAGOS – Global benchmark Brent ear­lier on Tuesday surpassed $80, its highest since Novem­ber. This is as Nigeria’s crude oil output is expected to in­crease to 1.701 million barrels per day next month from the 1.649 million barrels per day it has recorded since last No­vember. The increase was sequel to Tuesday’s OPEC and non- OPEC ministerial meet­ing which reaffirmed a 400,000-barrel per day increase in the monthly overall crude oil produc­tion and export for mem­ber countries.