As Nigerians grapple with the depreciation of the Naira which has further put the heat on the economy, analysts say there is an urgent need to defend the country’s foreign reserves in order to improve trade amongst others ; ADEOLA AKINBOBOLA writes.
For several months, the Naira has been depreciating. From N700 to a dollar in May last year, when the Central Bank of Nigeria liberalized the foreign exchange market, it is now N1,607.00 to a dollar.
Nigerians are lamenting that over 60 years after the country gained independence, the country is still economically dependent. This has prompted the call by Nigerians on the government to give priority to local manufacturers by making access to funds easy in order to boost production.
Blueprint observes that in Nigeria, everything is tied to fuel price and dollars. Even people who have never seen or touched a dollar in their lives base the prices of their goods and services on the exchange rate.
All these and more was part of the reasons Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North), Solicitor, Supreme Court of England and Wales is calling on the authorities to immediately prohibition the use of foreign currencies in Nigeria” and “Bill for an Act to Alter the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, to provide for the prohibition of foreign currency payment for remuneration and for matters connected therewith.”
Sen Ned in an interview recently in Abuja also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately abolish the use of the American dollar and all other foreign currencies in Nigeria, as a means of tackling the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
He said, “there is only one short-term, medium-term, and long-term solution, which is captured in my motion and bill before the Senate.”
Workplace inequality
Due to the free fall of naira, there is glaring income inequality between foreign workers and their Nigerians working in companies operating in Nigeria and their foreigners counterparts. It has become a thorny issue that is deeply concerning as it perpetuated historical injustices that are rooted in the colonial legacy.
This practice exacerbates existing economic disparities and reinforces the master-servant dynamic that has plagued Africa for centuries.
Colonial legacy, economic exploitation
Historically, income inequality in Africa, including Nigeria, has been entrenched since the colonial era. European settlers exploited the vast resources of the continent while systematically marginalizing and impoverishing the indigenous population.
This exploitation was not only economic but also deeply ingrained in social and political structures, leading to a stark income gap between Africans and their colonial overlords.
During colonial rule, Africans were often relegated to low-paying labour roles while Europeans enjoyed privileged positions with significantly higher incomes. Of course this disparity was not based on merit or skill but rather on race and colonial power dynamics.
Present day realities
Even after gaining independence, the remnants of this unequal system persists, manifesting in the unequal treatment of foreign workers and local employees within the country.
The payment of foreign workers in dollars, while Nigerian colleagues receive wages far below the conversion rate, is a blatant example of this ongoing injustice.
The consequences of this practice extend beyond mere discrimination; they have profound implications for Nigeria’s economy as seen today.
The alarming depreciation of the Naira against the dollar is exacerbated by the demand for foreign currency to pay professional services in dollars. This not only erodes confidence in the domestic currency but also widens socioeconomic disparities within the country.
Legal ambiguity and regulatory reform
Distressingly, the absence of explicit prohibition on paying salaries in foreign currency in relevant legislation, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria Act and the Foreign Exchange Act, heightens regulatory ambiguity and allows such exploitative practices to persist unchecked. Urgent amendments to these laws are imperative to address the issue effectively and ensure equitable treatment of all workers in Nigeria.
The significant capital flight resulting from tuition fees and medical tourism far surpasses most factors contributing to the Naira depreciation. Ending the practice of paying foreign workers in dollars is not only a matter of economic justice but also a crucial step towards dismantling neocolonial structures and building a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens.
Reconsidering “foreign” reserves policy
The notion of maintaining reserves in foreign lands, dubbed “foreign reserves,” is not only repulsive but also counterintuitive to Nigeria’s economic sovereignty.
Contrary to the practices of other nations like the United States, Britain, France, and Japan, which keep their reserves within their own borders, Nigeria’s adherence to this practice raises questions about its colonial legacy. If our early indigenous leaders adopted this approach due to colonial mentality, why should we perpetuate it?
The primary argument often put forward to defend the existence of foreign reserves is the need to balance trade. However, this argument lacks merit when considered in the light of the limited number of those involved in the import business. This constitutes a negligible fraction of the population. Therefore, the notion that foreign reserves are necessary for trade balance falls short when scrutinised.
Sen Nwoko further called for the need to “prioritize the domestication of our reserves, anchoring our economic stability firmly within our borders.”
Stimulating demand for naira
The Senator further explained that if the country does not get its currency to be needed, valued, known, and quoted, “no one is coming to do it for us. Continued acceptance of the dollar as legal tender undermines our economic sovereignty and must be halted.
“We must stop giving people the confidence to conduct business in Nigeria using foreign currencies. This practice not only undermines our economy but also perpetuates dependency on foreign currencies.
“As a nation that sells crude oil and a few other items on the global market, it’s crucial that we make it compulsory for every sale of these items to be conducted in Naira. This will prompt buyers to seek out Naira, leading to its appreciation due to increased demand and scarcity.
“While we may not have a large volume of exports on the global market, we attract a significant number of visitors. When these visitors understand that the dollar will not be accepted as legal tender in Nigeria, they begin sourcing Naira from their commercial banks and Bureau de Change (BDCs) even before arriving in the country. This increased demand prompts banks abroad to source and stock up Naira, making it readily available for exchange.
“Upon arrival, visitors can also obtain Naira from our BDCs. Imagine millions of visitors and prospective visitors from all over the world sourcing Naira; our local currency becomes increasingly relevant.
“This scenario creates a simple supply-and-demand dynamic, where the demand for Naira increases, making it more relevant globally. If we fail to create a need for Naira in other nations, their BDCs won’t even recognize it, let alone accept it for exchange.
“We must create an atmosphere that encourages the demand for Naira. This involves adopting policies that mandate the use of Naira for business transactions. Additionally, all domiciliary accounts must be converted into Naira,” he said.
Redefining BDCs role
According to Nwoko, the prevalence of Bureau de Change (BDC) facilities in Nigeria must align with currency policies aimed at shunning the unfair fall of the Naira. BDCs should serve as facilitators of currency exchange for foreigners, promoting the use of the Naira in domestic transactions.
He insisted that by enforcing regulations that prohibit the acceptance of foreign currencies for local transactions, “we redirect the focus of BDCs towards selling Naira and retaining foreign currencies for outbound travelers. Ambiguous practices, such as students paying school fees abroad, must also be addressed by BDCs in commercial banks.”
Challenges, resolutions
Nwoko said the opposition to these reforms may arise, particularly from oil companies and other corporations with agreements that could hinder the implementation of the proposed measures and hinder progress. However, agreements do not equate to immutable judgments.
According to him, any existing agreements should be thoroughly reviewed, and unjust or unfair ones amended or terminated in favor of the collective economic growth of the nation.
He opined that if the country truly desires economic freedom, then reassessing it’s approach to reserves and currency policy is imperative to pave the way for economic resilience and self-reliance.