Economy
Cost Of Living Crisis: Nigeria, Others Risk Social Unrest – AfDB
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has warned that Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola and Kenya risk social unrest owing to the rising prices of fuel and other commodities.
The AfDB gave the warning in its macroeconomic performance and outlook for 2024 wherein it projected the continent’s economy to grow higher than the 3.2 per cent recorded in 2023.
Nigerians, in some states, including Kano, Niger, Lagos and few others, had protested against the cost of living crisis in the country, which is largely blamed on the federal government’s policies of the petrol subsidy removal and floating of the naira.
The Sultan of Sokoto and chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had on Wednesday at the 6th Executive Committee meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Kaduna, warned that with millions of Nigerian youths left without jobs and food, the country was sitting on a keg of gunpowder.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, had, earlier on Monday, said there was serious hardship in Nigeria, asking the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to convey the message of the teeming populace about the hunger in the land to the president.
The emir spoke when Mrs Tinubu visited Kano to officially open the Faculty of Law building at the Maryam Abacha American University, Kano named after her.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, had on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the government would distribute the 42,000 metric tonnes of grains free of charge.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had, on Friday, declared a two-day nationwide mass protest on February 27 and 28. The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, said the decision to protest was taken after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the government over the nationwide hardship.
The AfDB, at the weekend, warned that internal conflicts could arise from an increase in energy and commodity prices occasioned by currency depreciation or subsidy removal referencing Nigeria, Angola, Kenya and Ethiopia, where energy subsidies were removed.
It stated, “Internal conflicts and violence could also result from rising prices for fuel and other commodities due to weaker domestic currencies and reforms.
“For instance, the removal of fuel subsidies in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria and the resulting social costs has led to social unrest driven by opposition to government policy.”
The bank also said the increase in geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, coupled with the El Nino phenomenon, could trigger supply chain disruptions, which could exacerbate energy and food inflation across the world with Africa more vulnerable to these shocks.
The AfDB further warned that regional conflicts and political instability occasioned by disruptions in constitutional governments could have deleterious economic costs with resources meant for development and social support channeled into security and defence.
It also cautioned that an unconstitutional takeover of the government might lead to sanctions, which have negative implications for the economy.
Quit if you’re overwhelmed, PDP govs tell Tinubu
Governors elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to quit if they cannot provide a sustainable solution to the problems plaguing the nation.
The PDP governors gave the advice in a statement at the weekend, signed by the forum’s director-general, HCID Maduabum, reminding the APC-led government of the need to be guided by the fact that it was the APC that sought power to solve the problems of Nigeria and not to “compound them, shift blame or grandstand and use propaganda to obfuscate or confuse issues.”
The governors noted that the hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians had no tribal, religious or party colouration, stressing that “a hungry man is an angry man.”
The governors said while all the tiers of government had a role to play, the APC-led federal government had a greater role in mobilising Nigerians and all the organs and tiers of government for sustainable solutions, adding, “If it cannot do so or is unable to do so, it should graciously throw in the towel.”
They assured that as stakeholders in governance they would continue to work collaboratively with the president in finding lasting solutions to “a very difficult situation created or exacerbated by the APC since 2015.”
When contacted for a reaction to the PDP governors’ allegations, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, promised to get back to one of our correspondents, but he did not do so as of the time of filing this story.
Current Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate
As of Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Nigerian naira at the Lagos Parallel Market commonly known as the black market or Aboki FX—stands as follows:
Buying Rate: ₦1,630 per dollar
Selling Rate: ₦1,635 per dollar
This information is based on data obtained from traders at Bureau De Change (BDC) outlets in Lagos.
Important Notice:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the black market as an official channel for foreign exchange transactions. Individuals and businesses seeking to access forex are advised to go through authorized financial institutions, such as commercial banks.
Dollar to Naira – Black Market Rate Today
Exchange Type Rate (₦)
Buying ₦1,630
Selling ₦1,635
Dollar to Naira – CBN Official Rate
At the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official window, the dollar exchanged at varying rates today:
Highest Rate: ₦1,610
Lowest Rate: ₦1,597
Note:
Foreign exchange rates may differ depending on location, volume, and the dealer. The figures provided here are for informational purposes and may not reflect the exact rates offered to buyers or sellers in real-time.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, has launched the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number platform, an initiative aimed at enhancing financial access for Nigerians in the diaspora.
The platform, which enables Nigerians abroad to obtain their Bank Verification Number remotely, removes the need for physical presence in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event in Abuja on Tuesday, CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, described the platform as a key milestone in the country’s financial inclusion journey.
He noted that the NRBVN would ease the long-standing challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora who previously had to be physically present in Nigeria for BVN registration.
“For too long, many Nigerians abroad have faced difficulties accessing financial services at home due to physical verification requirements,” Cardoso said. “The NRBVN changes that. Through secure digital verification and robust Know Your Customer processes, Nigerians worldwide will now be able to access financial services more easily and affordably.”
The governor added that the NRBVN was not just a solution for financial access, but a step towards a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous financial ecosystem.
“We are building a secure, efficient, and inclusive financial ecosystem for Nigerians globally,” he remarked. “This platform is not just about financial access, it’s about national inclusion, innovation, and shared prosperity.”
Cardoso also highlighted the growth in remittance flows, which increased from $3.3bn in 2023 to $4.73bn in 2024. He attributed this rise to recent reforms, including the introduction of the willing buyer, willing seller FX regime.
With the launch of the NRBVN, the CBN is targeting $1bn in monthly remittances.
“With the introduction of NRBVN and complementary policy measures, we are optimistic about achieving our ambitious target of $1bn in monthly remittance flows, a goal we believe is entirely achievable given the growing trust and convenience in formal remittance channels,” Cardoso said.
The event also featured a presentation by the Managing Director/CEO of NIBSS, Mr Premier Oiwoh, who detailed the technical and operational aspects of the NRBVN platform.
Oiwoh emphasised that the platform adheres to global standards, incorporating stringent Anti-Money Laundering and KYC compliance protocols to ensure transparency and security.
The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Mr Muhammad Abdullahi, also addressed the gathering, describing the NRBVN as a transformative tool for enhancing the banking experience for Nigeria’s diaspora.
He urged stakeholders to collaborate in refining the platform to meet the evolving needs of the diaspora community.
He further emphasised that the initiative would strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and its global citizens, and ultimately drive sustainable economic growth.
“Together, we stand at the threshold of a new era, poised to deepen the trust, enhance remittance growth, and forge a stronger, more meaningful connection between Nigeria and its global citizens,” Abdullahi said.
The NRBVN platform is part of a broader framework that includes the Non-Resident Ordinary Account and Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account, which provide Nigerians in the diaspora with access to savings, mortgages, insurance, pensions, and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s capital markets.
Under current regulations, diasporans will have the flexibility to repatriate the proceeds of their investments.
The launch of the NRBVN platform marks a crucial step in the CBN’s efforts to improve financial inclusion and harness the economic potential of Nigeria’s diaspora.
Below is the black market exchange rate for the US Dollar to Naira as of Sunday, May 11, 2025. These are the rates at which you can exchange your dollars for naira.
Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate (Aboki FX)
According to sources at the Bureau De Change (BDC) in Lagos, the dollar was bought at ₦1625 and sold at ₦1630 on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
Important Notice:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize the parallel market, also known as the black market. The CBN advises anyone seeking foreign exchange to do so through their commercial banks.
Dollar to Naira Exchange Rates Today
Market Type Buying Rate Selling Rate
Black Market (Aboki) ₦1625 ₦1630
CBN Official Rate ₦1608–₦1614 –
Please note: Exchange rates may differ depending on the vendor or location, and the rates presented here might vary slightly from the actual rate at the point of transaction.
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