Business
Nigeria’s Booming Forex Trading Industry: A Risky But Lucrative Venture For Traders
Forex trading has been on the rise in Africa, with Nigeria being the second-largest retail online forex market on the continent.
However, the absence of specific regulations makes traders vulnerable to scams and fraudulent activities. South Africa leads the way with a lesser but still significant number of 190,000 daily forex traders.
Despite the lack of regulations, the Nigerian forex industry has garnered a lot of interest from online traders, investors, and international brokerage firms.
According to Temitope Ijibadejo, the Nigeria Regional Manager of CM Trading, a licensed international brokerage and contract for difference (CFD) provider, the Nigerian forex industry is a “very buoyant one.”
He said the number of active Nigerian forex traders exceeds 300,000 with net deposits in billions of Naira annually.
In a 2021 report, it was estimated that there were roughly 300,000 retail forex traders in Nigeria, and there has been a substantial rise (46%) in female traders over the past couple of years.
Forex trading involves converting one national currency into another, and the most common currency pairs include GBP/USD and EUR/USD.
In Nigeria, the most common currency to trade with is the USD, which accounts for around 90% of Nigeria’s forex activity. Nigeria is a producer of crude oil, which is sold in dollars.
When prices increased in the 1970s, Nigeria saw a nice economic boost. This increase led to a growing interest in Africa in trading in dollars.
Since 2020, forex trading has seen a roughly 300% growth, and the majority of traders’ accounts (60%) are from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.
However, the Central Bank of Nigeria July 2021 announced that it will no longer sell forex to Bureau De Change operators, saying the parallel market has become a conduit for illicit forex flows and graft.
According to the announcement, weekly sales of foreign exchange by the CBN will go directly to commercial banks. Banks are mandated to immediately and transparently sell forex to customers who present the required documents, and customers not attended to by the banks are to report to the CBN through a toll-free number or email.
In August 2016, the CBN banned nine deposit money banks (DMBs) from the foreign exchange market, for hiding over $2 billion belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
President Muhammadu Buhari was briefed on the breach by the banks, and all nine had been mandated to move the monies to the treasury single account.
The CBN also warned that banks that did not comply with the TSA remission plan would face possible fines and stringent punishment. This was made during the full implementation of the TSA in 2015.
As the naira continues spiraling downwards, the CBN is looking for a solution to stop the currency from hitting the bottom. However, despite its efforts, the regulator has been accused of not taking responsibility.
In response, the CBN has argued that the issue is not a result of its policies, but rather a reflection of external economic factors.
In September 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) accused AbokiFX, an exchange rates aggregator, of manipulating Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.
According to the CBN, AbokiFX was responsible for promoting the exchange of the naira for foreign currencies on the black market, which it claimed was fueling inflation and harming the economy.
In July 2022, the CBN issued a statement warning that it would arrest and prosecute anyone using naira to buy dollars, citing a law that prohibits the use of the Nigerian currency to transact business outside the country.
The CBN claimed that the use of naira for such transactions was undermining the stability of the country’s foreign exchange market and contributing to the depreciation of the currency.
“For those taking money from banks to buy dollars, it is illegal to do so. If the security agencies hold you, you will know the implication of that,” Godwin Emefiele said.
However all this measures did not stop the increase in the forex world as Nigeria forex trader find ways to remain in the forex world.
To get more insights, Biztellers interviewed a forex trader known as Yolofx who spoke about his ordeal in the forex world.
Yolofx is a trader with 10k followers on instagram, and 2k followers on Twitter. He also offers mentorship programs for aspiring traders which requires payment.
He said ” Forex trading is not for everyone as it requires taking risk, consistency and patience. Consistency to me means doing it all over again regardless of the losses incured. I started trading since 2017 till date making it 6 years In the forex world. It has not been easy as it drastically affected my academics. I had to spend extra one year in school because I was not focus rather I gave my all in learning the forex”
According to him, to enter into the forex world, one requires a broker who serves as a middleman between a trader and the commercial bank.
He said “there are various brokers in the forex world, since I started trading I have used 5 different brokers but presently am using exness broker and to me it has been the best so far”
When asked about the legitimacy of the forex trade, he stated that forex trade is very much legit as it requires a verification process before entering the market.
He said “to verify your account in forex trade, you need to have proof of identity which is either your international passport or National Identity Number and also proof of residence which requires your bank statement that is not less that 6 months”
He went further to say “to tell you how complex and risky the forex world is, you can make 500k in a week or two and lose the entire money in a day” He added.
According to him, forex trade has changed his financial status as he has not searched for a job since after graduating from Higher institution.
Uche Paragon, who began his trading career in 2007, has become Nigeria’s richest currency trader with an estimated net worth of over $16 to 20 million.
Nigerian comedian and popular skit maker, Chibuike Josh Alfred, known by his stage name Josh2Funny, has shed light on the profitability of the content-creating industry.
In a recent interview with Echo Room, Josh2Funny highlighted the impressive financial potential that content creators can achieve, noting that it is possible for them to comfortably afford multiple luxury cars, including up to four Lamborghini vehicles.
Speaking candidly, Josh2Funny emphasised that content creation has become an extremely lucrative field due to the constant demand for fresh and engaging material. “If you want to buy four Lamborghini from content creation, you can buy it,” he said.
His remarks underscore the significant revenue opportunities available in the digital content landscape.
Josh2Funny explained that the continuous consumption of online content is what drives its profitability. “What do you think we are doing in the content-creating industry? Are we joking? You all are with your phones, when you’re in the bathroom, when you’re [using the restroom], you’re consuming our stuff. It’s like pure water,” he stated.
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The comedian further elaborated that businesses or industries that deliver products consumed on a daily basis often see the most substantial financial returns. Content creation, with its high rate of daily consumption by audiences worldwide, aligns perfectly with this model.
“People are out there, consuming our content every time,” he said, reinforcing the idea that the reach and influence of content creators have never been more extensive.
Josh2Funny’s insights reveal why the content-creating industry has become a lucrative career path for many in Nigeria and around the world. With the continuous growth of social media platforms and the public’s insatiable appetite for entertainment and relatable content, creators are finding new and innovative ways to monetize their craft.
This shift not only highlights the potential for significant financial gain but also showcases the evolving landscape of digital media, where influencers, comedians, and skit makers can turn creativity into a sustainable and highly rewarding business.
A safety alert notification by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria issued on October 31, 2024, regarding NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50 ml) batch number 93529610, in relation to the general European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX), has come to our attention.
The batch is said to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (BMHCA).
In a statement on Saturday, in Lagos, Beiersdorf, the owner of NIVEA brand, assured that the “the Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria and thus never recalled”.
According to the statement, Beiersdorf was well informed that “Based on current European legislation, the use of ingredient 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (LilialTM) in cosmetic products has been banned from the European markets as of March 1, 2022.”
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It acknowledged that “The batch in question, in fact, expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, Beiersdorf is working collaboratively with NAFDAC to safeguard the interest of the Nigerian consumers by ensuring that our locally manufactured product meets the global quality standards.”
It maintained that “The safety of our consumers remains our highest priority, consistent with our ethical philosophy as a business.”
In pursuit of this commitment, Beiersdorf’s entire NIVEA product portfolio formulations have been reformulated to be Lilial-free formulas in full compliance with the EU Regulation on cosmetic products well ahead of its Lilial ban coming into effect as far back as March 1, 2022. For instance, the formulation of NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant has been Lilial-free since at least 2020 across the globe, including Nigeria.
“Our trade partners were informed ahead of time and reminded of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation,” it added.
The Shell companies in Nigeria teamed up with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and other stakeholders to build Information Communication Technology (ICT) centres and a digital library in Nigerian universities in 2024.
Biztellers reports that it initiative is part of their continuing support for education.
Some of the corporate bodies that executed the projects include the Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and NNPC Ltd, and the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB).
The benefiting institutions were, the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, which got a digital library in April, the Sa’adu Zungur University (formerly Bauchi State University), Gadau in Bauchi State, where an ICT Centre was commissioned in July, by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) as part of the Joint Venture with NNPC, TotalEnergies and NAOC.
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In what would sound like singing-off on the educational intervention initiative for 2024, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), overflew with joy at the unveil of a world-class engineering design studios and ICT hub, courtesy of the SPDC, NNPC Ltd and other Joint Venture partners collaborated with NCDMB.
Reflecting on the three facilities, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, and Managing Director, SPDC, Osagie Okunbor, said, “This is Shell working to power lives in Nigeria. The projects have changed the academic and physical landscapes in the three universities and linked the students and lecturers to the global learning arena.”
The facilities at FUTO include two state-of-the-art engineering design studios and a fully furnished 100-seater ICT lecture hall, equipped with computers and smartboards with dedicated power and water supplies. FUTO was selected for the project as part of the “institutional strengthening” in the catchment area of SPDC’s Assa North Ohaji South Gas Development Project. They were launched at a colourful ceremony attended by representatives of the Imo State Government and principal officers of the university.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, said, “We deeply appreciate the efforts of our partners in NNPC, SPDC, Total Energies, and NAOC JV, who have invested in the future of Imo State by supporting this critical project. Your commitment to human capacity building aligns perfectly with our goals, and together, we will continue to drive innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic growth for our people.”
Okunbor’s address at the commissioning was read by General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, in which he expressed happiness “that the collaboration of SPDC, Joint venture partners, NCDMB, and FUTO has resulted in this successful social investment project that demonstrates our commitment to improving access to quality education for every Nigerian.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, called on Nigerian institutions to domesticate the advancements in AI and other technologies.
“Our AI must understand Igbo, Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, and other local languages,” he said, speaking through Dr. Ama Ikuru, the Director in charge of Capacity Building.
“We must leapfrog the innovations of other nations and become a net exporter of advanced technology to achieve the lofty ideals of Nigerian content development,” he added.
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, said in his address which was read by the Senior Advisor Stakeholders Relations, Halimat Wilson, “Innovation thrives in an environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and developed. The Engineering Studio and ICT Hub is designed to be such a place where students, researchers, and faculty can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Welcoming guests earlier, FUTO Vice Chancellor, Prof Nnenna Oti, thanked the sponsors of the project “for a landmark donation” to the university.
The Shell Companies in Nigeria have been education since the 1950s through scholarships and other initiatives. These efforts have resulted in the award of thousands of secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards, provision of educational infrastructure and establishment of sabbatical and internship programmes as well as centres of excellence in several universities.
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