Naira redesign: Dollar scarcity hits BDCs, sells at N818/$ – Newstrends
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Naira redesign: Dollar scarcity hits BDCs, sells at N818/$

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2 years ago

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The naira has dropped to N818/$1 at the parallel market in Abuja and N815 in Lagos after the Central Bank of Nigeria announced plans to redesign some banknotes.

Daily Trust reports that the naira is currently under high selling pressure in the black market following the CBN’s announcement that the newly redesigned naira notes would start circulating in the economy from December 15, 2022.

Since the apex bank made this announcement last week, the naira has fallen from its initial record low of N765/$1, losing over N53 in five days, further piling pressure on the local currency.

 One of our correspondents who visited the popular Bureau De Change hub at Wuse Zone 4, Abuja reports that several customers came looking for dollars but had difficulty accessing it.

Some of the offices visited included AA Funtua BDC, Mourison BDC, Wireless Resources BDC, Bani Mbaka BDC, Amfani Girma BDC and others.

Our correspondent who also posed as a customer to purchase $10,000 couldn’t get any BDC who had up to that amount of dollars to sell. Some of the BDCs said they didn’t even have $5,000 to sell.

Some of the operators confirmed there was a spike in demand following the CBN’s announcement that it will introduce new currencies.

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 Operators who spoke to Daily Trust said they’ve seen an unusual demand and mop-up in the past few days.

 One of the operators who identified himself as Ismailia Yusuf said the US dollar was very scarce. He also said the EFCC had visited the BDCs to scavenge for those offloading naira for dollars.

He couldn’t confirm if arrests were made but he did say operators were careful of exchanging huge amounts of naira for dollars.

It was not immediately clear if the scarcity is also a result of operators hoarding the dollars to create more scarcity and make more profit.

Another operator, Nura, said before the announcement by the CBN, they could do an exchange for up to $500,000 and sometimes $1m exchange but it’s no longer possible.

‘Customers rarely take dollars for sale’

Nura said even the walk-in customers rarely take dollars for sale and that might have impacted the scarcity as well.

He also hinted that some BDCs were being invited to the houses of politically exposed persons to plan how to secure forex to avoid the eagle eye of the EFCC.

“Some people with huge cash can invite BDCs operators to their homes to buy dollars and that might already be happening,” he said.

A survey at some of the black markets in Lagos revealed that bureau de change operators bought dollars for between N790 and N800 while they sold for between N795 and N805.

An operator at Allen Roundabout in Lagos, Ismail Muhammed said dollars were still selling for less than N800/$1 as against the speculated N815.

“I buy for between N780 and N785 while I sell for between N785 and N790. The dollar has not reached N800. It is all speculation,” he said.

Another operator, Alhaji Nafiu Isah, said that the dollar was on the rise and might reach N820 before the end of the week.

“I buy for N800 and sell for N805 for now but it is on the rise and might get to N820 or N830 very soon,” he said.

 Alhaji Abdullahi Olugbede said he was willing to buy for as high as N807 if the volume was higher than $4,000.

Efforts to speak to the leadership of the Association of Bureaux De Change of Nigeria (ABCON) on the depreciation of the naira proved abortive as they declined to comment.

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It would be recalled that the CBN barred the sale of Forex to BDCs operators across the country in July 2021. The CBN said the parallel market had become a conduit for illicit forex flows and graft.

There was no comment from the CBN on the recent development.

How naira lost 28% since January 

According to Nairametrics’ FX tracker, the naira has lost over 28% of its value between January and October 2022 due to increased demand for the dollar amidst sustained dollar scarcity. The naira started the year at N565 to a dollar.

The exchange rate at the Investors and Exporters window, where FX is traded officially, has also seen some systematic devaluation so far this year, moving from an average of N416/$1 last year to as high as N444/$1 as FX supply continues to dwindle in recent times. Data tracked by Nairalytics showed that the sum of $362.7 million was traded at the official FX market last week, marking a decline from $425.3 million recorded in the previous week. This was even significantly lower than the average of $500 and $1 billion weekly trades recorded sometime earlier in the year.

Naira failing as a store of value – Experts 

An economist and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, said the recent depreciation of the naira was fuelled by those who had huge cash in local currency that they wanted to hide away as a result of the redesign of currency notes by CBN and those who wanted to move their wealth away from naira to a more stable currency.

“The rise is a result of the announcement by the CBN to redesign currency notes and the fact that we have people who have huge cash who might not be comfortable taking them to the bank because EFCC will be watching out. However, all the current policies of the government, especially by the CBN have been affecting confidence in the naira.

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“Naira has been failing in one of its major functions as money, which is serving as a store of value because when a currency continues to depreciate in value as a result of inflation, the tendency is that people will move to a more stable currency,” he said.

The former Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) urged the CBN to leverage intelligence gathering in the fight against corruption.

Paul Alage, a Senior Economist with System Performance Management (SPM) said the timing of the naira redesign is wrong because, “Around November/December, you have a sporadic exchange of money, which we economist call the velocity of money because people want to travel and most transactions are done via cash.

“In several countries of the world, the time they do currency redesign is not close to the end of the year or close to an election because that could cause chaos.”

He further argued that 50 per cent of inflation today was caused by insecurity and food crises. “The NBS said food inflation remains the driver of inflation in Nigeria. Another 30 per cent is caused by the exchange rate because a significant proportion of what we consume is imported. So when your exchange rate is weaker, your prices will be higher.”

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Naira strengthens, gains N29.89 against US dollar

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March 15, 2025

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Naira strengthens, gains N29.89 against US dollar

The Nigerian Naira closed the week on a positive note, appreciating by N29.89 against the US Dollar in the official market.

According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Naira traded at N1,517.93 per dollar on Friday, reflecting a 1.9% increase from Thursday’s closing rate of N1,547.82.

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The currency’s recovery comes after a period of decline since March 5, offering a sign of relative stability. In recent months, the Naira has traded within a range of N1,500 to N1,900 against the dollar across both official and parallel markets.

This uptick suggests ongoing efforts to stabilize the currency may be yielding results, as market watchers remain hopeful for sustained improvements.

 

Naira strengthens, gains N29.89 against US dollar

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How to lower fuel consumption of your car

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1 day ago

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March 15, 2025

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How to lower fuel consumption of your car

When President Bola Tinubu announced an end to fuel subsidy at the inception of his regime in 2023, many motorists were jolted by the expected impact it would have on the cost of keeping their vehicles on the road.

Many Nigerians were also concerned about the impact it would have on the cost of living, especially the prices of goods, services and transportation.
And their fears were genuine; prices of goods went up astronomically and there were complaints of hardship all over the country.

This led to a swift drop on the sales of big cars, especially Sport Utility Vehicles. Many Nigerians quickly parked these cars in their homes and some immediately put up theirs for sale while others quickly bought smaller cars that they presumed would consume less fuel. They forgot that the rainy season would not be fair to the roads and their new small sedans, especially the bumpers and underneath the cars.

Those living in flood-prone areas like Lekki and some seasonally flooded areas in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states can attest to the advantages of SUVs over sedans from their expenses. With some of these expected challenges, it didn’t take long for the average Nigerian motorist to adjust and live with the negative impacts of the fuel subsidy removal.

Though the challenge persists, coupled with the poor state of the roads across the country, it has been almost impossible for Nigerians to totally do away with their big cars and SUVs which are renowned for higher fuel consumption. It is the classical case of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.

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Today, Vanguard offers you some tips on how to ensure maximum fuel economy in your vehicles at a time like this. It is clear that by improving your car’s fuel economy, you’re helping to reduce the drain on your wallet. With some simple driving tips and habits, your fuel can take you further. A combination of good driving habits, and proper vehicle maintenance of your car is essential.

The Tips

*When driving, accelerate and brake gently, quick starts and stops waste fuel, but smooth driving boosts your kilometres per litre. Driving at slower speeds leads to better fuel efficiency.

Reducing speed by 10-20 kph can help. Keep a steady speed, you may use your cruise control on motorways because when you drive at a consistent speed, you save fuel.

•Watch the traffic ahead, it will help you predict what other drivers will do or intend to do. This helps you to avoid braking and speeding up.

•Also avoid idling your engine for long periods even when it is stationary as it wastes fuel. Switch off the engine if you need to stop for more than a minute.

•Also limit short journeys, and be aware that cold starts use more fuel.

•As a motorist, ensure that your tyres are appropriately gauged. Soft tyres cause drag and waste fuel. Check pressures often and inflate correctly.

Many drivers don’t know that proper inflation of their car tyres contributes significantly to the fuel economy. Under inflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance on the road. This means that your tyres generate more friction and rolling resistance and will increase fuel consumption.

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If your four tyres are underinflated by 10 psi, this could increase your fuel consumption by 10 per cent. Car manufactures always have the recommended tyre gauge inscribed on the drivers door frame. Gauge your tyre accordingly and reduce your fuel consumption.

•Correct wheel alignment is vital. It reduces tyre wear and drag. This also saves fuel.

•Many motorists carry all sorts of things in their boots which they hardly need and this adds to the weight of the car, this should be avoided. Note that every extra 50kg of load in your car increases fuel consumption by about two to three percent.

Some used cars from abroad come with a heavy bar attached to the rear for pulling boats and other heavy objects from where they have been imported which is hardly needed in this part of the world. It is advised that you remove them to avoid unnecessary weight.

Some people however believe that this serves as protection when another vehicle hits them from behind, unknown to them that they are paying more to fuel their cars. Lighten your load and remove extra weight from the car. Less weight means better fuel economy.

•Also, reduce drag by removing roof racks as they increase wind resistance which wastes fuel.

•Use your air-conditioning system. Driving with an air-conditioner has an advantage to fuel economy but most drivers think otherwise.

Apart from keeping the interior of your car clear of dust and ensuring the safety of the driver from attacks, it also saves fuel. Driving with windows down at a speed faster than 80km/h causes a lot of wind resistance and more fuel consumption. It is more fuel efficient to drive with your air-conditioner on.

•Maintain the right speed. Avoid over speeding and going slowly too.

While both have safety consequences, they also have an impact on your fuel consumption. It has been established that on highways, your engine works hard to overcome wind resistance.

This means that you will burn up to 15 per cent more fuel at 100km/h and 25 per cent more at 110km/h. On the other way round, if you drive at a speed slower than 50km/h your engine would drop to a lower gear thus using up more fuel. It is advised that driving between 50km/h and 90km/h gives optimal fuel efficiency.

•Many people accelerate their cars as if they are running at Formula 1 Race thereby wasting their fuel unknowingly. Avoid revving your accelerator to a high revolution per minute (RPM). Your engine uses less fuel when it is revolving slower at a lower RPM.

•It is also important to note that aggressive braking is not only a disadvantage to the brake pad but increases fuel consumption.

Slamming on the brakes increases fuel consumption as the car needs to accelerate again. Give a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you have been driven by a pilot before, you would understand what it means to drive with caution.

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They are very cautious of the vehicles in front of them and avoid them from afar. I am sure that if we take count of professionals who hardly get involved in traffic accidents, the pilot would take the number spot.

•Avoid hard acceleration when moving your car from complete stop or climbing hills as it increases fuel consumption. Most people who drive vehicles with automatic transmission hardly know the advantage of one special feature in the car called cruise control.

If you are driving an automatic car, you can make use of cruise control to keep your speed constant. But if you are driving a manual car, maintain a higher gear when appropriate. This ensures that your engine goes through less revolutions per minute, RPM and ensures less fuel consumption.

•Driving in traffic causes higher fuel consumption. Stop-start traffic puts a lot of pressure on your engine and burns more fuel. Avoid peak traffic if possible. Turn off your engine when it is parked. As long as your engine is on, the fuel is burning. The choice is yours to keep the engine steaming when that car is not moving. It is your fuel that is burning which you can use to cover some kilometers.

•Regular servicing with quality engine oil is key to the longevity of your engine. If your engine is poorly maintained, it will lead to sludge and corrosion build-up which will prevent the engine from working smoothly. Regular maintenance is key.

•Follow your vehicle’s schedule, a healthy engine works better. A clean air filter lets the engine breathe freely. Good airflow improves fuel use. Use the right oil type to reduce friction and boost engine performance. When buying a new car, think about fuel efficiency. Pick a model that fits your needs. If your car has a fuel-saving mode, then use it.

How to lower fuel consumption of your car

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Electricity: TCN blocks access to data from DisCos

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1 day ago

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March 15, 2025

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Electricity: TCN blocks access to data from DisCos

Different interest groups in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) yesterday raised the alarm as the Independent System Operator (ISO) of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) blocked access to distribution companies (DisCos) daily load profile on its website.

The section of the website has been inaccessible for over a month with no one offering explanation.

Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah did not  answer calls to her mobile line. She also refused to respond to the WhatsApp message sent to her for inquiry.

Responding to the situation, Sage Consulting, Lead Power Sector Analyst, Mr. Bode Fadipe said the fact that the TCN barred access to the DisCos load profile for this long raises the question if it has something to conceal from the stakeholders.

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He described the website’s  daily load profile as the tool with which customers and other members of the public can assess the performance of the energy distributors.

Fadipe stressed that platform should be a validation measure for holding the DisCos accountable.

He said allowing the DisCos to operate without access to the load profile could aid them to reject load.

His words: “If other information is accessible on that platform and it is not a technical issue what could be responsible for that? Do they have anything to hide?

” If they have resorted to that, we call for greater transparency so that it can help us to see performance. I think it is not a very good sign because the power sector is supposed to be a transparent industry where people can pick up information and the public can monitor all the time and be able to hold DisCos responsible.”

 

Electricity: TCN blocks access to data from DisCos

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