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CBN is working on merging exchange rates – Emefiele

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Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), has said that the country is working on merging its exchange rate on the various markets.

Emefiele, said that the foreign exchange needed for the importation of petroleum products will decline by the end of this year when the Dangote Refinery commences operation.

Emefiele, was speaking on the sidelines at the ongoing World Bank/International Monetary Fund 2022 Spring Meetings in Washington DC, in reaction to the president of the World Bank, David Malpass, who had mentioned on Wednesday, at a press conference that, the multiple exchange rates in the country is not encouraging to investors and also not an effective way of managing the country’s exchange rate.

Emefiele, however said the CBN is working on a home grown solution at merging the exchange rates even as he emphasised the need to first merge the level of demand with that of supply.

He said: “What we do expect is that to develop a home grown solution that will lessen the situation.

“Nigeria is on a managed float and what that also means is that we cannot adopt what is being proposed that we go on a free float, doing that will create an exchange rate spiral for Nigeria as long as the demand surpass the supply of foreign exchange in Nigeria.

“With the Dangote Refinery coming up with the 650,000 barrels per day hopefully by around the end of the year. That will also start to also reduce the demand for foreign exchange that will normally will go for importation of petroleum products.

“I have often said between the importations of refined products alone, importation or whether it is rice or sugar or wheat, consumes close to about 40 per cent of foreign currency that is needed to fund imports in Nigeria. And if we find for instance, a situation were by around the end of this year, we’re able to begin to see we are no longer going to be needing foreign import petroleum products.

“We have been at this since 1986 and that is why we are saying that whereas, we are doing something to adjust the currency like for instance between 2015 and now, you would observe that we have adjusted the currency from about N155 to about N420 that it is today.

So, we cannot be accused of not adjusting the currency that we are trying to adopt a very gradual approach towards adjusting the price to the level that it is today but at the same time. We have to be given a chance to also look at while we are adjusting price, we must also do something about demand and supply.

“That is the reason we are saying that we need to do something on demand to make sure that those things that we can produce in the country we restrict access to foreign exchange for them so, that that will encourage people to produce locally.

When that happens, what it will mean is that the demand for foreign exchange will reduce and when demand for it reduces ultimately you will find that price will not rise beyond the expectation of Nigerians and we are achieving that.

“Today, we have done a lot in intervention in agriculture. Is it your rice, we have stopped the import of rice. We have stopped import of maize. Right now no foreign exchange for importation of rice or maize, very little amount for wheat.

“I believe that demand will drop as demand drops, what you will find is that whatever supply we have is able to merge with demand and then we can see a stable exchange. That is what we’re trying to do and I imagine that by the time we achieved this, we will continue to engage with World Bank or the IMF”.

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Business & Economy

NERC Dissolves Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Board Over ₦456.5bn Insolvency

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has dissolved the Board of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (Kaduna Electric) with immediate effect over severe financial insolvency amounting to ₦456.5 billion.

NERC, in a statement, said the decision followed the company’s poor financial and operational performance.

According to the commission, Kaduna Electric remitted only 41.93 percent of its adjusted market invoices in 2025 and recorded aggregate losses of 71.88 percent.

The company also invested ₦2.48 billion against a required capital investment of ₦24.51 billion, while customer metering coverage remained below 36 percent.

To ensure continued electricity supply and operational stability, NERC has constituted an interim board of Special Directors chaired by Dr. Abdullahi Garba.

The commission also appointed Dr. Abubakar Umar Hashidu as Administrator of the company for an initial six-month term.

NERC further said Afrexim would coordinate a transparent 12-month competitive process to secure a competent replacement core investor for Kaduna Electric.

The commission assured electricity consumers across Kaduna Electric’s franchise area that distribution services would remain safe and uninterrupted during the transition.

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Subsidy Removal Best Thing That Happened to Nigeria — NRS Chairman

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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The Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has described the removal of petrol subsidy as one of the best economic decisions taken in Nigeria, saying President Bola Tinubu deserves commendation for the policy.

Adedeji made the remarks while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

He said many of the positive economic developments being recorded by the government were linked to the decision to remove the subsidy, which he described as unsustainable and harmful to the country’s economy.

According to him, the subsidy regime had existed for decades and placed a heavy burden on government finances.

“All the good results that I will reel out soon come as a result of that courageous decision. So, it is not a mistake; it is the best thing that has happened to this country,” Adedeji said.

The NRS chairman said Tinubu inherited an economy facing several structural challenges, including an unsustainable petrol subsidy regime, an underperforming oil sector and a narrow tax base.

He said the administration had introduced major reforms to address these challenges and urged Nigerians to assess the policies based on their long-term economic impact rather than emotions.

Adedeji also challenged those seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election to explain how they would handle the country’s economic challenges differently.

He specifically questioned whether they would reverse the removal of fuel subsidy or the unification of the foreign exchange market.

The NRS chairman further argued that retaining the subsidy would have placed an even greater strain on Nigeria’s finances, particularly amid global energy market pressures.

He estimated that the subsidy bill could have risen to about ₦53 trillion, while the exchange rate might have reached ₦3,500 to the dollar.

President Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023. The decision led to a sharp increase in petrol prices and contributed to higher transportation, food and production costs.

While the reform has increased government revenues and boosted allocations to the federal, state and local governments, its effect on the cost of living remains a major concern for many Nigerians.

 

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Dangote Refinery Overtakes US Again as Europe’s Biggest Jet Fuel Supplier

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has retained its position as Europe’s largest supplier of jet fuel for the second consecutive month, overtaking the United States and further strengthening Nigeria’s presence in the global energy market.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the refinery said the achievement highlights its growing influence in international refined petroleum trade and its ability to consistently meet the stringent quality standards required by one of the world’s most demanding aviation fuel markets.

According to the refinery, the latest European import data compiled by global commodities intelligence firm Kpler showed that more than 400,000 tonnes of jet fuel produced at the Dangote Refinery were delivered to Europe in July. This accounted for approximately 20 per cent of the continent’s total jet fuel imports during the month.

The July performance follows an even stronger showing in June, when the refinery exported a record 466,000 tonnes of jet fuel to Europe, marking the first time Nigeria displaced the United States as Europe’s leading supplier of imported aviation fuel.

Dangote Refinery noted that Europe imported about 2.06 million tonnes of jet fuel in July, with the Nigerian refinery accounting for the single largest share of those imports, ahead of traditional suppliers from the United States, the Middle East and Asia.

The company attributed its growing success to its strategic location on Nigeria’s Atlantic coast, large refining capacity, modern technology and efficient export infrastructure, which have enabled it to become a reliable supplier to international markets.

The refinery also disclosed that its export momentum has been supported by increased production.

According to the statement, jet fuel loadings at the Dangote export terminal in Lekki reached a record 550,000 tonnes in June, while crude oil deliveries to the refinery climbed to an all-time high of 660,000 barrels per day, providing the capacity needed to sustain rising exports of refined petroleum products.

Dangote Refinery further explained that changing global energy supply patterns have also contributed to its growing market share.

Although Europe continued to receive some jet fuel supplies from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman in July, disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and evolving geopolitical developments encouraged many buyers to diversify their sources of supply.

The refinery said these developments created an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its position as a dependable supplier of premium aviation fuel to Europe.

Commenting on the milestone, the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, said the company has continued to expand exports beyond aviation fuel to include diesel, petrol and other refined petroleum products across Europe, Africa and other international markets.

He said the refinery’s growing export footprint is reinforcing Nigeria’s emergence as a net exporter of high-value refined petroleum products while boosting the country’s role in global energy trade.

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