Naira Records First Loss of 2023 to US Dollar Across Official and Black Markets, Economist Make Predictions

Naira Records First Loss of 2023 to US Dollar Across Official and Black Markets, Economist Make Predictions

  • Naira has recorded its first loss in 2023, as the foreign exchange market resumes full activities
  • The Nigerian currency drop in value was recorded across official and black market foreign exchange markets
  • Naira experienced significant losses in 2022, and experts have shared their predictions for 2023

After opening the year 2023, with a positive, the Nigerian currency, Naira has recorded its first loss to the US dollar at the official market.

On Tuesday, 3 January 2023 which was the first trading day for 2023 Naira opened the year at N461.00/$1.

This is an appreciation when compared to N461.50/$1 which it closed in 2022 at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) segment of the foreign exchange market.

Naira dollar exchange rate
Naira starts 2023 on a low Credit: @cbn

However, it was a swift turn of events on Wednesday, 4 January 2022, as Naira reversed the gains of a day earlier to record its first loss for 2023.

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According to data from FMDQ Securities Exchange, Naira depreciated by 0.15% as the dollar was quoted at N461.67 as against the last close of N461.00.

The naira’s weakness followed a low level of activity at the market as the daily foreign exchange market turnover declined by 54.82 percent to $69.33 million on Wednesday from $153.45 million recorded on Tuesday.

Most currency dealers who participated in the FX auction on Wednesday maintained bids between N440.00 and N462.00 per dollar.

Black market exchange rate

At the black market, traders revealed that the value of Naira was exchanged at N745 compared to N736/$1 on Tuesday, 3 January 2023.

Also, in the peer-to-peer market where most cryptocurrency and online traders buy and sell dollars, Naira’s value dropped from N756 to dollars from N748/$ a day earlier.

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Experts predict naira exchange rate to US dollar, and other currencies in 2023

Expert predicts N1000 to one dollar exchange rate in 2023

Reacting to Naira to dollar exchange rate a political economist, Prof Pat Utomi, has said the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar may go above $1 to N1,000 if some “dramatic” measures are not taken by the federal government fiscal and economic policies.

Utomi stated this while speaking said on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Wednesday, 5 January 2023, Leadership reports.

CBN explains sale of Polaris banks to ex-president son-in-law

Meanwhile, in another report, the Central Bank of Nigeria has finally replied to the accusations that have trailed the sale of Polaris bank

The bank was sold to Auwal Lawan Abdullahi who is the investor behind Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL)

Lawal's total investment is N1.35 trillion but made an initial front payment of N50 billion

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Dave Ibemere avatar

Dave Ibemere (Senior Business Editor) Dave Ibemere is a senior business editor at Legit.ng. He is a financial journalist with over a decade of experience in print and online media. He also holds a Master's degree from the University of Lagos. He is a member of the African Academy for Open-Source Investigation (AAOSI), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and other media think tank groups. He previously worked with The Guardian, BusinessDay, and headed the business desk at Ripples Nigeria. Email: dave.ibemere@corp.legit.ng.