The naira crashed further against the dollar from 247 last Thursday to 251 on Saturday at the parallel market.

This came barely one week after the Central Bank of Nigeria cut foreign exchange supply to Bureau De Change operators.

The central bank had during its weekly forex sale to the BDCs last Wednesday refused to sell forex to operators that failed to render returns on the utilisation of previous forex bought at the official window.

The dollar was selling for between N241 and N243 before Wednesday’s decision. The local currency was still sells for 197 against the dollar at the official market.

Meanwhile, the nation’s foreign currency reserves dropped to $29.7bn on December 3, 2015, data from the CBN’s website showed on Sunday.

This is expected to put more pressure on the CBN’s bid to defend the naira and avoid a devaluation of the local currency.

The gross foreign exchange reserves had dropped to $29.92bn on November 30, the first time they fell below $30bn since July 13.

The reserves have fallen by 20 per cent since the end of June 2014, when Brent crude prices began a more than 60 per cent plunge, hammering the finances of Africa’s largest economy and biggest oil producer.

The naira has been fixed at 197-199 per dollar since early March after the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, restricted banks’ access to foreign exchange.

demarc001:
Waiting for #1 = $1

sholatech:
It is really pathetic, despite the cosmetic over-protection of the reserves..

For those that celebrated the marginal increase then in Foreign Reserves with claims it was due to body language..

abouzaid:
if i talk now they would ban me again but one i know for sure is that at this rate, naira must sell for atleast #300 to a dollar by next year end. those moderators banning me, how much do you spend now buying things online compared to what you spend before may29? you guys should have a rethink of your banning policy. i have never insulted anybody here so why do you keep banning me for been pro biafra? we're your customers o, if you drive us away, lai Mohammed won't invite you to his next meeting with bloggers.

chosen04:
....So its NOT only me that they ban for my Pro-Biafra stance? Well! them go tire. I remain a proud Biafran till the end. "Thank Chukwu Abiama that i have neven been a niGERian. I maybe in the Zoo-niGERia but am not of niGERia.............Holy Book"

chosen04:
....So its NOT only me that they ban for my Pro-Biafra stance? Well! them go tire. I remain a proud Biafran till the end. "Thank Chukwu Abiama that i have neven been a niGERian. I maybe in the Zoo-niGERia but am not of niGERia.............Holy Book"

fitzmayowa:



My brother if you are waiting for this, you are on a long thing, this what the oyinbo's call "building castle in the air"