Economy
FG Applies Sledge Hammer To Stabilize The Naira, Blocks Online Crypto Tradings
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The Federal Government on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 blocked the online platforms of Binance and other crypto firms to avert what it considers continuous manipulation of the forex market and illicit movement of funds, Premium Times reported on Wednesday.
Sources within the major telecommunication companies in the country told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday evening that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) communicated the directive to telcos and they had started acting on it.
Apart from Binance, other platforms such as Forextime, OctaFX, Crypto, FXTM, Coinbase, Kraken, among others, were equally blocked.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported Wednesday that the government was considering blocking the online platforms of Binance and other crypto firms as part of efforts to avert the free fall of the local currency.
Presidency and regulatory sources said the government decided to move against Binance and other crypto firms following reports that currency speculators and money launderers were using them to execute criminal activities. Authorities believe the ‘criminal activities’ going on on platforms are contributing significantly to the weakening of the naira.
Binance, a digital assets platform, serves as a window for peer to peer transactions allowing users to advertise interest to sell or buy currencies of their choice.
In September 2023, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) placed a disclaimer on Binance Nigeria Limited, saying the platform was “neither registered nor regulated by the Commission and its operations in Nigeria are therefore illegal”.
Despite the warning by the regulatory agency, the firm continued its operation, attracting huge patronage especially among urban youths and suspected speculators and money launderers. Aside from suspicions of economic sabotage, officials also speak of national security concerns as the platforms are often patronised by other criminal groups including for payment of ransom.
In its reaction earlier on Wednesday, Binance said “users behaving in a manipulative way” will be removed from its platform.
“As industry leaders, we are working hand in hand with local authorities, lawmakers, and regulators to ensure we act on non-compliance,” the platform added, noting that it is “setting an upper limit for ads, filtering and removing bad ads, requiring and raising deposits for merchants posting ads as well as processes for actioning against any market manipulators.”
On Tuesday, the Nigerian government announced that it was planning to raise $10bn to improve liquidity in the foreign exchange market.
President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, disclosed this at the inaugural Public Wealth Management Conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
“At the core of this is ensuring optimal management of the assets and investments of the Federal Government towards unlocking their revenue potential. This includes our bold and achievable plan to double the GDP growth rate and significantly increase the GDP base over the next 8 years,” Mr Shettima said.
Meanwhile, the naira tumbled to an all-time low of N1,900 per dollar at the parallel market on Tuesday, amidst speculations and uncertainties about supply constraints in the markets. But at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), the local unit appreciated slightly to N1,551.24.
Earlier on Tuesday, the office of the National Security Adviser directed law enforcement agencies to take firm measures against anyone engaged in foreign exchange market speculation.
“In a concerted effort to safeguard Nigeria’s foreign exchange market and combat speculative activities, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Central Bank of Nigeria are joining forces to address challenges impacting the nation’s economic stability,” the office said in a statement.
“The CBN’s proactive measures to stabilise the foreign exchange market and stimulate economic activities have been commendable. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives is being undermined by the activities of speculators, both domestic and international, operating through various channels, thereby exacerbating the depreciation of the Nigerian naira.”
PREMIUM TIMES
The Nigerian naira traded at relatively stable levels against the United States dollar on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, across both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets, as market participants continued to monitor liquidity conditions and foreign exchange demand.
Latest data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) showed that the naira exchanged at approximately ₦1,366.41 per dollar at the official market. The NFEM rate, which is published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, represents the volume-weighted average exchange rate for the day.
The official exchange rate has remained within the ₦1,350-₦1,370 range in recent weeks, supported by improved liquidity and sustained foreign portfolio inflows into local assets.
In the parallel market, also known as the black market, the dollar traded at around ₦1,400 for buying and between ₦1,410 and ₦1,420 for selling, depending on location and dealer quotations.
The spread between the official and parallel market rates remained relatively narrow compared with previous years, reflecting ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.
Currency traders said demand for dollars from importers, travellers and businesses remained steady, although the naira has benefited from increased confidence in the foreign exchange market and improved dollar supply.
Analysts noted that exchange rates could continue to fluctuate in response to changes in foreign exchange inflows, global oil prices and domestic economic conditions.
As of the prevailing rates, $100 would exchange for about ₦136,641 at the official NFEM window, while the same amount could fetch between ₦141,000 and ₦142,000 in the parallel market.
Foreign exchange rates remain subject to intraday movements and may vary across banks, bureaux de change operators and other market participants.
A total sum of N2.300 trillion, being the May 2026 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared between the federal government, states, and the local government councils.
In a statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, the revenue was shared at the June 2026 Federation Account Allocation Committee FAAC meeting held in Abuja.
The N2.300 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N1.611 trillion and distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N688.785 billion.
A communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that the total gross revenue of N3.395 trillion was available in the month of May 2026. Total deduction for cost of collection was N123.546 billion, while total transfers and refunds were N971.610 billion.
According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of N2.651 trillion was received for the month of May 2026. This was higher than the sum of N2.378 trillion received in the preceding month by N273.623 billion.
Gross revenue of N743.668 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in May 2026. This was lower than the N806.617 billion available in the month of April 2026 by N62.949 billion.
The communiqué stated that from the N2.300 trillion total distributable revenue, the federal government received a total sum of N818.680 billion, and the state governments received a total sum of N759.141 billion.
The local government council received N534.277 billion, while the sum of N188.132 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting state as derivation revenue.
On the N1.611 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the federal government received N749.801 billion and the state governments received N380.309 billion.
The local government councils received N293.202 billion, and the sum of N188.132 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
From the N688.785 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the federal government received N68.879 billion, the state governments received N378.832 billion, and the local government councils received N241.075 billion.
In May 2026, Companies Income Tax (CIT), CGT, SDT, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), and Oil and Gas Royalty increased significantly, while Import Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), Excise Duty, and CET Levies decreased considerably.
The Federal Government, states and local government councils shared a total sum of N2.257 trillion from the Federation Account in April.
Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The revenue was shared at the May 2026 Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting held in Abuja.
The N2.257 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N1.260 trillion , distributable Value Added Tax, VAT, revenue of N747.088 billion, and augmentation of N250.000 billion.
This indicated that total gross revenue of N3.184 trillion was available in the month of April 2026. The total deduction for cost of collection was N113.756 billion, while total transfers, refunds, and savings were N813.839 billion.
According to the statement, gross statutory revenue of N2.378 trillion was received for the month of April 2026. This was higher than the sum of N1.699 trillion received in the preceding month by N678.224 billion.
Gross revenue of N806.617 billion was available from VAT in April 2026. This was higher than the N664.425 billion available in the month of March 2026 by N142.192 billion.
The communiqué stated that from the N2.257 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N787.351 billion, and the state governments received a total sum of N772.360 billion.
The local government councils received N540.152 billion, while the sum of N157.254 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
On the N1.260 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the statement stated that the Federal Government received N580.942 billion and the state governments received N294.661 billion.
The local government councils received N227.172 billion, and the sum of N157.254 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
From the N747.088 billion distributable VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N74.709 billion, the state governments received N410.898 billion, and the local government councils received N261.481 billion.
The Federal Government received N131.700 billion of the N250.000 billion, the state governments received N66.800 billion, and the local governments received N51.500 billion.
In April 2026, Companies Income Tax, CIT, CGT, SDT, import duty, oil and gas royalty, and VAT increased significantly, while Petroleum Profit Tax, PPT, and hydrocarbon tax, HT, decreased considerably.
Excise duty and CET levies decreased marginally.
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