The exchange rate for the dollar in Abuja black market on Wednesday stood at between N182 and N186, an investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria has shown.
This is against the new official exchange rate of N168 announced on Tuesday by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Godwin Emefiele.
Close to the Sheraton Hotel, Zone 4, Abuja, the rendezvous for most black market operators, the closest naira exchange to the official exchange rate was N182.
Some of the operators said the difference between their rate and the official rate was to accommodate the “extra charges” they pay to “dealers” they get the hard currency from.
A black market operator, Usman Gongola, said he sold one dollar at N186 and bought one dollar for N183.
Another operator, Bello Abdullahi, said he sold at N184 and bought one dollar for N182.
Also speaking, Mohammed Bichi said he sold one dollar at N182 and bought one dollar for N181.
The CBN on Tuesday announced a new exchange rate of N168 to one U.S. dollar as against the old rate of N155 to one dollar.
The CBN governor told journalists at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja on Tuesday that the measure was to strengthen the economy, following continued slide of oil price in the international market.
Part of the measures, as announced by Mr. Emefiele, was an increase in lending rate from 12 per cent to 13 per cent. NAN
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
