Nigeria Resumes Dollar Sales to Money Changers Amid Naira’s Decline

The Central Bank of Nigeria resumed selling US dollars to money changers to address the falling value of the naira. This decision came after the naira-to-dollar exchange rate dropped to a low of NGN1,639 per dollar, likely due to increased demand for US dollars for travel and business. The central bank has outlined rules for … Read more

Nigeria’s Central Bank Doubles Down on Plans to Introduce Newly Designed Naira Banknotes

The Nigerian central bank was, on Oct. 29, forced to defend its controversial currency redesign plans, just a few days after they were publicly questioned by Nigerian Finance Minister Zainab Ahmad. The central bank insists the move is long overdue and urged Nigerians “to support the currency redesign project which is in the overall interest … Read more

Nigerian Presidential Hopeful’s Party Says It Will Review Country’s Blockchain and Crypto Policy if Elected

The party of the Nigerian presidential hopeful Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has promised to set up an advisory committee to review regulations that govern blockchain and virtual asset services if it wins in the upcoming elections. The All Progressives Congress also said it “will work with the Central Bank and the financial sector to carefully review … Read more

Nigerian Central Bank Hikes Key Interest Rate Just Days After Naira Plunges to New Low

Following the latest meeting of the monetary policy committee, the Central Bank of Nigeria says it has hiked the monetary policy rate to 15.5%. By increasing the key interest rate by 150 basis points, the central bank hopes to “narrow the negative real interest rate gap and rein in inflation.” The rate increase came just … Read more

Nigerian Presidential Candidate Says Fixed Exchange Rate Regime ‘Has to End’ — Touts Success of Fintech Unicorn Flutterwave

A Nigerian presidential election candidate, Peter Obi, has said the local currency’s exchange rate against the dollar must not be fixed but must be determined “by the forces of demand and supply.” Pointing to the success of the Nigerian fintech Flutterwave, the candidate said if elected, his government will create an enabling environment for other … Read more

Nigerian Central Bank Told to Consider Floating the Naira, Recent Interest Rate Hike Slammed

The Central Bank of Nigeria should be discontinuing the fixed exchange rate system and let the naira freely float against the major currencies, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, the leader of a Nigerian association of bureau de change operators has said. The leader also slammed the recent adjustment of the central bank’s interest rate to 13%, which … Read more

Report: Nigerian Central Bank Incentive Scheme Failed to Halt Naira Depreciation

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s attempt to incentivize the country’s forex market through the so-called “Naira for Dollar” scheme has failed. This is evidenced by the local currency’s plunge of more than 25% since the launch of the incentive scheme in March 2021. Naira Depreciation The CBN’s scheme that encourages recipients of cross-border remittances … Read more

Nigerian Presidency: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Against ‘Willy-Nilly Devaluation of the Naira’

The Nigerian presidency has denied reports that the country’s Vice President (VP), Yemi Osinbajo, was calling for the devaluation of the local currency when he recently questioned the naira’s official exchange rate. The Huge Arbitrage In fact, according to a report that quotes Laolu Akande, the VP’s assistant, Osinbajo is against “a willy-nilly devaluation of … Read more

Nigerian Vice President Says Current Naira Exchange Rate ‘Artificially Low’

Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recently warned that the country’s official naira exchange rate of N411 for every dollar is artificially low. This exchange rate, according to Osinbajo, discourages foreign exchange entrance into the country. Naira Exchange Rate Must Reflect Realities of Market Consequently, Vice President Osinbajo says he wants the Central Bank of Nigeria … Read more

Nigerian Lawmaker Proposes Closure of All Domiciliary Accounts in Order to Save Imperiled Naira

Nigerian lawmaker Ibrahim Obanikoro has called on Nigerian authorities to “close all domiciliary accounts for the next 12 months.” Such a move, he argues, will help to ease pressure on the naira, which has depreciated by more than 10% in the past two months. The Naira’s Continuing Depreciation The call by Obanikoro comes nearly two … Read more