{"id":15967,"date":"2022-12-30T06:13:49","date_gmt":"2022-12-30T06:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/nigerian-central-bank-spent-over-1-8-billion-managing-local-currency-economics-bitcoin-news\/"},"modified":"2022-12-30T06:13:49","modified_gmt":"2022-12-30T06:13:49","slug":"nigerian-central-bank-spent-over-1-8-billion-managing-local-currency-economics-bitcoin-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/nigerian-central-bank-spent-over-1-8-billion-managing-local-currency-economics-bitcoin-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigerian Central Bank Spent Over $1.8 Billion Managing Local Currency \u2013 Economics Bitcoin News"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News )<\/b>
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During her appearance before Nigerian lawmakers, Aisha Ahmad, the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), told lawmakers that out of the nearly $1.8 billion used to manage the local currency, over 90% of this total was reportedly used to fund expenses associated with the production of banknotes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Growing Cost of Maintaining the Naira<\/h2>\n

According to Aisha Ahmad, the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), between the years 2017 and 2021, the apex bank spent an equivalent of nearly $1.8 billion, or 800 billion naira, managing the local currency. The production of new banknotes alone accounted for more than 90% of this figure.<\/p>\n

As per remarks published<\/a> by the Punch, Ahmad, in her recent appearance before Nigerian lawmakers, also claimed that the cost of maintaining the local currency has been increasing by over $22 million annually. Before Ahmad\u2019s disclosure, Kingsley Moghalu, a former CBN deputy governor, had also told lawmakers that the central bank uses approximately $336 million to manage the currency.<\/p>\n

In addition to incurring high costs associated with managing the naira currency, the CBN has to contend with the increased risk of counterfeiting, the report said.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, in her testimony, Ahmad partly blamed the spiraling costs on what she characterized as wholesale hoarding of the naira by the Nigerian public.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn observation supported by statistics shows that cash outside banks consists of over 80 per cent of the currency in circulation; worsening [the] shortage of fit banknotes in circulation. This portends [a] negative public perception of the bank and increases [the] threat to financial system stability,\u201d Ahmad is quoted as saying.<\/p>\n

To help the central bank overcome some of the challenges identified by Ahmad, the CBN introduced<\/a> into circulation newly designed naira banknotes on Dec. 15. At the same time, the bank said Nigerian residents in possession of the old banknotes should return these before or by Jan. 1, 2023.<\/p>\n

CBN Not Targeting Politicians<\/h2>\n

The central bank has also restricted<\/a> the amount of cash that individuals and corporate organizations can withdraw. However, some Nigerian commentators have accused the CBN of using the so-called naira redesign policy to target politicians. Responding to these allegations, Ahmad reportedly told lawmakers that the bank\u2019s decision to limit cash withdrawals was based on research.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to make it very clear that the CBN is an independent institution and our decisions are taken based on research \u2014 it is the work of many teams working together across the different directories,\u201d Ahmad reportedly said.<\/p>\n

Register your email here to get a weekly update on African news sent to your inbox:<\/em><\/p>\n

What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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\nTerence Zimwara <\/h6>\n

\nTerence Zimwara is a Zimbabwe award-winning journalist, author and writer. He has written extensively about the economic troubles of some African countries as well as how digital currencies can provide Africans with an escape route.

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Image Credits<\/b>: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons, Tayvay \/ Shutterstock.com<\/em><\/p>\n

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Disclaimer<\/strong>: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com<\/a> does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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