Economy
Now investors are mocking us –Obasanjo Blasts Tinubu Over Nigeria’s Economy
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says President Bola Tinubu’s policies on fuel subsidy removal and exchange rates have adversely affected the Nigerian economy.
Obasanjo spoke via a statement issued by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Sunday to assess the performance of the current government in the past one year.
He said the effects of the policies which he said were “wrongly implemented are pushing foreign investors away from Nigeria”.
He argued that “the present administration has not found the right way to handle the economy to engender confidence and trust for investors to start trooping in”.
Obasanjo continued: “Today, the government has taken three decisions, two of which are necessary but wrongly implemented and have led to the impoverization of the economy and of Nigerians. These are removal of subsidy, closing the gap between the black market and official rates of exchange and the third is dealing with a military coup in Niger Republic.
“The way forward is production and productivity which belief and trust in government leadership will engender. No shortcut to economic progress but hard work and sweat.
“Economy does not obey orders, not even military orders. I know that. If we get it right, in two years, we will begin to see the light beyond the tunnel. It requires a change of characteristics, attributes and attitude by the leadership at all levels to gain the confidence and trust of investors who have alternatives.
“Total Energy has gone to invest 6 billion dollars in Angola instead of Nigeria. If the truth must be stated, the present Administration has not found the right way to handle the economy to engender confidence and trust for investors to start trooping in.
“They know us more than we know ourselves. And now they are laughing at us, not taking us seriously. We have to present ourselves in such a way that we will be taken seriously. If the existing investors are disinvesting and going out of our country, how do we persuade new investors to rush in. We can be serious if we choose to be but we need to change from transactional leadership in government to transformational and genuine servant leadership.
“With change by us, the investors will give us the benefit of doubt, and security being taken care of on a sustainable long-term basis, they will start to test the water. With the right economic policies, attributes of integrity and honesty of purpose, all should be well with all hands on deck and the government becoming a catalyst for development, growth and progress.”
Obasanjo added that “tinkering with the exchange rate is not the answer” to the economic problems.
He said, “The answer is consistency and continuity in policy to ensure stability and predictability. That way, we will be sure of incentivizing domestic and foreign investment. There must be honesty and transparency in government dealings and contracts and not lying with deception about these issues. When the government is seen as pursuing the right policy, the private sector will go for production and productivity.
“With change by us, the investors will give us the benefit of doubt, and security being taken care of on a sustainable long-term basis, they will start to test the water. With the right economic policies, attributes of integrity and honesty of purpose, all should be well with all hands on deck and the government becoming a catalyst for development, growth and progress.
Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Rate As Of December 18, 2024Wondering about the current Dollar to Naira exchange rate at the black market, also known as the parallel market? Here’s the latest update for December 17, 2024, along with the rates for buying and selling US dollars in the Nigerian black market.
How Much is a Dollar to Naira Today in the Black Market?
As of Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the exchange rate at the Lagos parallel market (Black Market) stands as follows:
•Buying Rate: N1665
•Selling Rate: N1675
These rates reflect what buyers and sellers are willing to trade US dollars for in the black market. However, please keep in mind that these rates are subject to change and can fluctuate based on supply and demand.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate – December 17, 2024
•Buying Rate: N1665
•Selling Rate: N1675
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
The official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates differ from those in the black market. For today, the CBN exchange rate for the Dollar to Naira is:
•Highest Rate: N1555
•Lowest Rate: N1520
It’s important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not endorse the black market exchange rate. The CBN encourages individuals to conduct their foreign exchange transactions through approved channels, such as commercial banks and licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.
Please be aware that the exchange rates for buying or selling foreign currency may differ from the values listed here, as they can vary throughout the day. Always confirm rates with your local dealers before making any transactions.
The exchange rate for the Dollar to Naira in the black market (parallel market), also known as the “Aboki FX” rate, is as follows for 15th December 2024:
•Buying Rate: ₦1,660
•Selling Rate: ₦1,670
This rate reflects the price at which traders in the Lagos parallel market (black market) are buying and selling dollars, as reported by sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
It is important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize the parallel market and encourages individuals to conduct foreign exchange transactions through authorized banks.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Rate for Dollar to Naira
•Highest Rate: ₦1,549
•Lowest Rate: ₦1,520
The rates you receive may vary slightly from those mentioned here, as forex prices fluctuate based on market conditions.
CBN Takes Tough Action on New Naira Notes
In another development, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a ₦150 million fine on commercial banks found guilty of supplying newly minted naira notes to currency hawkers. This move is part of the CBN’s ongoing efforts to prevent the illegal trade of naira notes and ensure proper circulation to the public.
The penalty comes as the CBN reaffirmed the continued validity of the old ₦1,000, ₦500, and ₦200 notes following a Supreme Court ruling on November 29, 2023. The CBN also warned against the hoarding of cash, which disrupts the smooth flow of money in the economy.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) across its retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to a reporter from Dailypost who visited NNPCL retail outlets observed that the petrol pump price was reduced from N1,060 to N1,040 per litre. This represents a reduction of N20.
“The price was reduced to N1,040 per litre from N1,060 on Saturday morning,” a filling station attendant at the NNPCL retail outlet along Kubwa expressway said.
A motorist, Ezekiel Njoku, confirmed the development.
“The reduction of N20 is significant. We need further fuel price reductions in the coming days,” he said.
With the price cut, Nigerians will now buy petrol at N1,040 per litre at NNPCL filling stations, while prices remain within N1,115 per litre at other filling stations, depending on the location.
This development comes barely three weeks after the state-owned Port Harcourt refinery began producing petroleum products in November 2024.
The former Managing Director of NNPCL Retail, Prof. Billy Okoye, had earlier speculated that a fuel price reduction was imminent with the commencement of production at the Port Harcourt refinery.
Oil marketers, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, PETROAN, had also hinted that the deregulation of the sector—coupled with the operations of Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries—would lead to a drop in petrol prices.
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