The naira yesterday made a sudden recovery in the parallel market, following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) easing of forex policies. The naira appreciated to N295 against the dollar from N305 on Friday, after the apex bank lifted the ban on dollar transfers and allowed dollar deposits into domiciliary accounts.

The local currency has remained stable in the official market, exchanging for N199 to a dollar.

Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) President Aminu Gwadabe said the naira was exchanging at N291/293 against the dollar in the morning but closed later at N295.

He said although the CBN did not supply dollar to the market, its relaxation of forex restrictions that allowed banks to accept dollar deposits and transfer foreign currency deposits has helped shore up the value of the naira.

CBN Spokesman, Ibrahim Mu’azu, said the apex bank decided to reverse the policy because its finding shows that currency substitution by customers which made it enforce it in the first place has been tackled.

Credit: Nation