Business
Currency crisis looms as fiscal buffers dwindle
LAGOS – The continued dwindling of the fiscal buffers- foreign reserves, excess crude account, (ECA) against the backdrop of rising and stable oil prices at the international market is responsible for the strengthening expectation that the nation’s currency, the naira, will dramatically lose value, Business Day investigations have shown.
Also, the current gap of over N13 between the official and parallel market rate which is creating arbitrage opportunity for forex dealers and lose fiscal stance of the federal government among others, is increasing dealers appetite for hedging through the growing desire to switch from Naira to foreign currency denominated deposits. The implication, they argue, is that naira will witness more depreciation.
Razia Khan, analyst with the standard chartered bank, London said, “It is correct that fiscal policy plays a key role in shaping expectations. Monetary policy has done pretty much what it can to restore FX stability. But expectations regarding the sustainability of a stable FX rate are heavily influenced by fiscal policy.
By running down its external and fiscal buffers, the ECA, Nigeria proves itself to be especially susceptible to oil price volatility. In the event of an oil price (or oil output) shock, the perception is that Nigeria will not be able to defend its FX rate. Markets are forward looking, hence the pressure on the currency now. Monetary policy will continue to try to restore stability – but it can only do so much.”
Analysts and monetary policy committee members are of the opinion that this portends danger for the economy as the Central Bank of Nigeria is getting closer to the limit of its monetary policy, stressing that the projected 6-9 percentage inflation rate can only be achieved with stable currency.
A currency crisis is a sudden devaluation of a currency which often ends in a speculative attack in the foreign exchange market. A currency crisis may result from chronic balance-of-payments deficits or from market speculation about the ability of a government to back its currency.
Although most of the analysts who spoke with BusinessDay did not see devaluation as the viable option in view of the import dependent nature of our economy, they wonder why Nigeria with a $30bn current account surplus and with oil prices at $100 per barrel is not seeing an accretion in its foreign reserves.
Besides, they say that considering the rate at which ECA is being depleted, we may wake up next year to discover that nothing is left in the account.
Another concern is the fact that no one seems to be in charge or accountable for management of oil income and questioned the relevance of the economic management team.
“That is why you have all the noise of accusation and denial with regards to what has accrued to the NNPC that is not remitted to the nation’s coffers,” says one close currency watcher
“Somehow, somebody will have to make sense of the oil production and revenue numbers. We are all going to pay a huge price for negligence as CBN can not continue to defend the naira as its balance sheet has very little wiggle room, he told BusinessDay.
Bismark Rewane in recent LBS breakfast meeting for February said that weaker naira will impair earnings of banks and also increases risk of default on dollar-denominated loans.”
Doyin Salami, in his contributions at the last MPC meeting said “From the perspective of economics theory, a persistent surplus on our current account, resulting from high oil price, should see the Naira strengthen. However, the failure to build reserves has resulted in strengthening expectation of that the Naira will lose value. This expectation has been manifested in a continuing switch from Naira to foreign currency denominated deposits –a trend I had previously described as “retail hedging.”
Unless the Fiscal side shows significant improvement imminently, the options for monetary policy may become glaringly inconsistent with the objectives and policy direction for the economy in Nigeria. For monetary policy, the challenge of managing the internal and external value of the Naira is a core element of its mandate. Achieving inflation rate of 6 ‐9 per cent in 2014 requires a stable currency.”
Salami further observed that the model articulated, in various documents, for the growth and development of the larger economy in Nigeria is predicated on Import substitution and for CBN to achieve price stability, “import substitution requires a stable, even strong currency.”
He said that given the data and information laid before the committee members “the immediate and emerging build up of banking system liquidity, it is clear that there is a need to respond to the pressure on the currency and forestall the build-up of further pressure. However, it is increasingly clear that we are approaching the limits for using the cost of credit as a management tool without inflicting damage on the growth and development aspirations of the economy.”
Sarah Alade, deputy governor and member of the MPC said, “Already, available data suggest that Gross Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and portfolio inflows decreased significantly in the last quarter of 2013. Given that monetary policy is approaching its limit, there is need to allow for more flexibility in the exchange rate”
Suleiman Barau, another member of MPC said that the current crisis was “aggravated by activities of politicians who may have been forced to recourse to the use of foreign currencies to avoid charges associated with Naira cash withdrawals. The aggravated demand for foreign exchange (for transfers/Letter of Credit valid) that we have seen in 2013 is largely in the area of invisibles which has increased by 23.8% from 24% ($13.3b) to 48.2% ($26.1b) during corresponding period in 2012.”
Kingsley Moghalu, deputy governor and also a member of the committee said, “The role of fiscal factors in the current difficulties, marked by a severe decline in the Excess Crude Account over the past year, thus leaving the country dangerously vulnerable to external shocks as a result of the lack of fiscal savings. There is no indication that this situation will change in the near to medium term.”
– BUSINESS DAY
The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation has uncovered financial irregularities amounting to ₦514 billion in the 2021 operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).
The revelations were contained in a comprehensive audit report highlighting non-compliance and internal control weaknesses within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during the 2021 financial year.
READ MORE: Powerful 6.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits China, Dozens Killed
Breakdown of Infractions
The audit detailed four major financial discrepancies within NNPCL:
“Irregular Deductions: A total of ₦343.64 billion was deducted from domestic crude oil sales at source without proper documentation.
“Sinking Fund Deposits: ₦83.66 billion, categorized as miscellaneous income, was retained in a sinking fund account.
“Unauthorised Refinery Deductions: ₦82.95 billion was deducted from federation revenue purportedly for refinery rehabilitation.
“Unsubstantiated Payments: ₦3.75 billion was flagged for transactions related to petrol sales that lacked proper verification.
The Auditor-General’s report stated that these financial activities violated the 1999 Constitution and the Financial Regulations Act of 2009, underscoring significant lapses in compliance with statutory guidelines.
According to the report, NNPCL generated ₦484.73 billion from domestic crude oil sales in March and May 2021.
However, ₦343.64 billion was deducted for various purposes, including “Value Shortfall,” “Strategic Stock Holding Cost,” and “Pipeline Maintenance.”
The deductions were made unilaterally by NNPCL without adequate documentation or justification.
Additionally, the report flagged ₦50 billion of the net payable amount for May 2021 as unaccounted for, creating a significant gap in the federation’s revenue.
“Audit observed from the review of NNPC SAP payment record for March and May 2021 payments that the sum of ₦484.73bn was the gross amount generated for the sale of domestic crude for the months of March and May 2021.
“The sum of ₦343.64bn from the gross amount was unilaterally deducted from the gross domestic crude sales as NNPC Value shortfall, Strategic Stock Holding Cost, Crude Oil and Products Pipeline Losses, as well as the pipelines maintenance and management costs.
“The details of each of the cost components deducted were not provided for audit review. Hence, the reasons for the deductions could not be justified by the management.”
On the unremitted ₦50 billion from May 2021, the report noted: “In the month of May, the net payable that could have been remitted ought to have been ₦127.075bn, but only the sum of ₦77.075bn was remitted, leaving an unremitted balance of N50bn to the Federation Account, which has remained unaccounted for.”
The report attributed these anomalies to weaknesses in NNPCL’s internal control systems, warning of the risks they pose to public funds.
It read, “The above anomalies could be attributed to weaknesses in the internal control system at NNPC, now NNPC Ltd. This is a potential loss of Federation revenue, diversion of public funds, or misapplication or misappropriation of funds.”
The success of the maiden edition of the Lagos Shopping Festival (LSF), Africa’s first 72-hour non-stop commerce and entertainment event has been credited to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
This is the view of Managing Director/Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Africa Ltd, Israel Jaiye Opayemi, one of the main organisers of the event.
According to Opayemi, though Chain Reactions Africa conceptualised the event, the festival could be rightly described as the Governor’s baby and owes its success to his leadership. “Firstly, the Lagos Shopping Festival could not have come to fruition if the Governor did not buy into our audacious plan when we first presented the idea to him during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Secondly, it was the Governor’s exemplary leadership of the project as its Chief Marketing Officer which attracted the buy-in of key sponsors like Zenith Bank, Tolaram Group, First Bank Plc, and Guinness Nigeria Plc,” Opayemi revealed.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Okays Bulletproof SUVs, Medical Benefits, Others For Retired Army Generals
While the duo of Zenith Bank and First Bank provided their bank on wheel platforms for buyers at the Lagos Shopping Festival, they also supported the Vendors with special Point of Sale Machines with which to process payments from buyers. The banks were also seen marketing their diverse banking products to guests within the shopping arena.
For Tolaram, it was a time to support the citizens and give back to society. Guests at the Lagos Shopping Festival were freely given some of the products of the group such as PowerOil, Indomie and Kellogg’s packaged into goodie bags and given out to prospective buyers at the shopping arena. The Children’s Arena was however activated by Indomie with the children entertained by Santa Claus within a well-equipped arena manned by the Indomie Brands team and the Lagos State Safety Marshalls. The children were daily treated to free Indomie meals daily and given various gifts to go home with.
On its part, Guinness Nigeria came through as the real life of the Nigerian party by organizing product sampling activation for the teeming guests at the festival using brands such as Singleton, Johnnie Walker, Ciroc, Don Royale and Captain Morgan to deliver pleasant experiences to guests aside from Guinness and Malta Guinness.
While unveiling the identity of the festival last month, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had thanked the management of Zenith Bank Plc, Tolaram Africa Group, Guinness Nigeria Plc and First Bank of Nigeria for supporting the idea of a Lagos Shopping Festival, describing it as a value addition on the state’s tourism calendar and the overall efforts to grow the State’s GDP. The Governor further said, “I must specially acknowledge your pioneering sponsorship role. It is easy for a corporate sponsor to jump on the sponsorship band wagon of an already established festival and fund it. But you are supporting the maiden edition of this Lagos Shopping Festival with us. The competition is watching you now. Do not build this brand with us and yield the space for the competition to take over. I do hope you would all commit long term to this brilliant initiative.”
On his part, Girish Sharma, CEO Guinness Nigeria Plc, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “Lagos is the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria and Africa’s entertainment capital, and the Lagos Shopping Festival captures its essence. We see opportunities in this initiative because it is a creative fusion of commerce and entertainment. This partnership reflects our dedication to fostering economic opportunities and support the nation’s vibrant entertainment industry.”
A first-of-its-kind, the festival was a convergence of commerce and entertainment, bringing together buyers and sellers in the MSME ecosystem, and hordes of fun-seekers who were entertained with thrilling performances by A-list entertainers, including Adekunle Gold, Wande Coal, Teni, Young Jonn, BNXN, Ayo Maff, SB Live and EmmaOMG. The list also included some of Nigeria’s most sought after DJs such as DJ Neptune, DJ YK Mule, DJ Baddo while Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st and Larry J dished out rib-cracking comedy performances.
Held from 23rd to 25th Day of December 2024, at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Stadium, Lagos, the Lagos Shopping Festival saw thousands of fans throng the main venue and select Lagos malls during the three-day period to bag the latest bargains from local and top global brands.
The Nigerian Naira experienced mixed movements in the foreign exchange markets on Monday, as it depreciated to N1,665 per dollar in the parallel market, down from N1,660 per dollar recorded over the weekend.
In contrast, the official exchange rate saw the Naira appreciate to N1,534.56 per dollar, improving slightly from N1,535 per dollar last Friday, according to data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
RELATED NEWS: Naira Weakens Against Dollar Amid FX Shortages
This reflects a marginal gain of 44 kobo in the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
As a result, the gap between the parallel market rate and the NFEM rate widened to N130.44 per dollar, compared to the N125 per dollar margin recorded over the weekend.
EFCC Summons Okoya Brothers Over Viral Video Allegation
![Gospel Singer, Moses Bliss Announces Engagement [Photos]](https://biztellers.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_20240119_143217_400_x_300_pixel-80x80.jpg){kind=tracking}
Moses Bliss, Wife Celebrate Arrival Of First Child
BREAKING: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elects Former Senator, Mbata As New Leader
Presidency Fires Back At Gov Bala Mohammed Over Criticism Of Tinubu’s Leadership
FG Recovers $52.88m Of Diezani Alison-Madueke’s Loot From U.S
JUST IN: Court Of Appeal Orders Retrial In Kano Emirate Dispute
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
