Business
Association Tasks CBN On Forex Rates Harmonisation
President, Association of Bureaux Des Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to harmonise the rate at which it sells foreign exchange to commercial banks and its members.
Gwadabe told newsmen yesterday in Lagos, that the disparity between the rates had forced about 50 per cent of its members to boycott the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) window.
According to him, the CBN sells Forex to banks at N357 per dollar, while banks are expected to sell at N360, on the other hand, BDCs buy at N360 from the CBN and are expected to sell at N362.
The financial expert noted that its members incurred losses the moment they accessed the CBN window, which had forced many of them out of market.
“The direct implication of this will be the loss of about 20,000 jobs nationwide as the tactical edging of BDCs out of the market will result in the sacking of its workers across the nation,’’ Gwadabe said.
The ABCON chief appealed to the CBN to make BDCs direct agents of International Money Transfer Service Operators (IMTSO) since they were fully automated, and transparency had remained their watchword.
Gwadabe explained that the rate of disparity in accessing the CBN window had elevated parallel market operators to the delight of the enemies of the Naira.
He said that the edging of BDCs out of the market would inhibit financial inclusion as BDCs make N30 billion weekly turnover which translates to commission for the commercial banks.
Gwadabe said that BDCs remain the potent agent for transparency and price stability in the market as exemplified during the peak of the recession when exchange rate volatility was blown out of proportion.
He noted that if the parallel market, which selling rate was presently lower than that recommended for the BDCs, was allowed to dictate the market price, there may be the resurgence of fake currency in the market.
“Allowing the parallel market operators to dictate the price in the market will erode investors’confidence and that of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the nation’s economy.
“This also will be counterproductive to the mandate of the CBN and that of the IMF.
“It will run counterproductive to the IMF mandate of price discovery and stability.
“Allowing the parallel market to dictate the price will also fuel the existing multiple exchange rate regime,’’ Gwadabe said.
The ABCON chief recalled that at the peak of recession, with an external reserve of 27 billion dollars, and dwindling oil revenue, BDCs made a cogent suggestion to the CBN that gave birth to accessing the IMTSO window.
He said that accessing the window became an alternative to the depletion of the external reserve.
According to him, BDCs have remained strategic partners with the CBN in ensuring price stability and transparency in the foreign exchange market.
Our correspondent reports that prior to the commencement of aggressive interventions of the CBN in the nation’s foreign exchange market in Feb. 2017, the naira had exchanged at a scandalous N520 to a dollar.
At the peak of dwindling oil revenue, the BDCs had partnered strategically with the CBN to ensure that proceeds of IMTSOs were used to intervene in the FOREX market.
For a sustained partnership between the BDCs and the CBN, rate harmonisation should be looked into to save the FOREX market from the jaws of currency speculators who manipulate the market with the aid of parallel market operators.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.