The exchange rate between the naira and dollar sold for N900/$1 according to a cross-section of dealers who claimed to have traded on Saturday 5th November 2022.
Read Also: Exchange Rate Today, 4th November, Dollar at N870, Pound at N1000
This is more than double the official NAFEX exchange rate of N440/$1 reported by the central bank on its website for November 4, 2022.
The rates closed above N870/$1 on Friday according to the Nairametrics tracker, however, several parallel market rates seen by Nairametrics suggest rates depreciated further to as low as N890-N900/$1 if you want to buy from traders.
The British Pound also sold for about N1005/£1 according to a tracker seen by Nairametrics while the Euro sold for about N865-N870/$1.
However, a quick check at peer-to-peer exchanges where dollars are also traded using the cryptocurrency USDT, reveals rates averaged N830/$1 as of Saturday evening while rates ranged between N829-N833.9?$1. Unlike the inflow market where trades can be in millions, the value of trade in this market is typically small with an average trade of about $1,500 per transaction.
An exchange rate of N900/$1 is a psychological ceiling that most analysts never thought will be breached this soon.
The exchange rate depreciated to N800/$1 on the 1st of November, meaning it has taken just 5 days to fall by N100 to N900/$1.
Should it continue to depreciate at the pace seen last week at the black market, then it could hit the N1000/$1 mark by mid-November.
Another fun fact is that the disparity between the official rates and the black market rate is now over 100%. Data from the CBN website quotes the NAFEX rate at N440/$1, thus double that is about N880/$1.
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
He has worked with the Daily Times, Daily Independent, Financial Standard and Business Television to mention some.
His ongoing Corporate Communications Master Class training series equips learners with credible hands-on skills for effective Media Relations, Public Communications & Corporate Affairs amongst others.
He can be contacted via 09165809519 or 08180335778.
