The World Bank has blamed the re-emergence of parallel currency exchange market in Nigeria on resistance toward the increasing pressure on the naira and the limited supply of forex at the official window.

The Bank, in a report released on Wednesday in Washington DC, said the premium between the parallel exchange rate and the official rate widened from March 2020 until June 2023.

“Despite changing the official exchange rate to better reflect market conditions in 2021—Nigeria operated multiple currency practices—the parallel rate premium continued to increase to 80 percent in November 2022 and then to about 60 percent in June 2023, as the Central Bank’s interventions to restrict foreign exchange demand and keep the exchange rate artificially low were met with declining FX supply from oil revenues,” said the report.

It added that the prioritisation of strategic sectors and the imposed price ceilings and trade restrictions pushed transactions to the parallel market, which started to account for a large share of the foreign exchange transactions in the country, including for remittances, tourism, and exports of non-oil products.

“After the unification and liberalisation of the exchange rates in June 2023, the NAFEX rate converged to the parallel one, closing the gap. However, resistance toward the increasing pressure on the Nigerian naira coupled with limited supply of FX at the official window has led to the reemergence of the parallel market premium,” the report said.

The report, Africa’s Pulse, shows that Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic outlook remains bleak.

It identified rising instability, weak growth in the region’s largest economies, and lingering uncertainty in the global economy as dragging down growth prospects.

Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, it said, is forecast to decelerate to 2.5% in 2023, from 3.6% in 2022.

It added that Nigeria and Angola will grow at 2.9% and 1.3% respectively due to lower international prices and currency pressures affecting oil and non-oil activity.

In the quest for a robust economic growth, one glaring truth stands out like a beacon of opportunity: Nigeria must diversify its resources. But alas, the powers that be seem to have a one-track mind, obsessively chasing oil money while our nation’s finances crumble beneath our feet. Unemployment soars, hunger gnaws at our people, and the cost of governance continues to spiral out of control.

It’s high time we break free from this perilous dependence on black gold. Nigeria, a nation steeped in diverse culture and natural beauty, has a goldmine waiting to be tapped—tourism

Our cultural heritage is a tapestry woven with threads of history and tradition, waiting to be showcased to the world. Festivals like the Eyo Festival, Argungi Fishing Festival, New Yam Festival, and the Durbar Festival could become global extravaganzas, attracting tourists from every corner of the planet. Imagine the economic windfall, the boost to SMEs, and, the creation of jobs and the enhancement of our global image as a hospitable and vibrant nation.

But it doesn’t stop there. Nigeria boasts stunning beaches and waterways, prime for transformation into the maldives and Venice of Africa. Consider Makoko in Lagos, where people build their lives on the water – with proper development and management, it could become a traveler’s paradise, an unparalleled experience that visitors will cherish for a lifetime.

And let’s not forget our diverse landscapes – from enchanting waterfalls to historic museums, impressive dams to mysterious caves, serene springs to lush parks, remarkable statues to majestic mountains and hills – we have it all! Yet, these treasures lie neglected, falling into disrepair, their vast potentials untapped.

Let’s take a look at Kenya, another African country that’s become synonymous with thrilling safaris. Tourists flock there from all corners of the globe, including Nigeria, for wildlife experiences and encounters with nature. What is Nigeria known for in the tourism arena? We have the potential to create our own unique narrative, to become a destination choice that captures the hearts and minds of travelers worldwide.

Egypt draws in hordes of visitors with its iconic pyramids and historic museums. When will Nigeria follow suit, investing in its cultural riches, tasty cuisines, Arts and local religions to attract both foreign and local visitors? We’re called the giants of Africa for a reason, and it’s high time we started acting like one.

We possess the resources and the human capital to make this transformation happen. The sun is shining on Nigeria. Let’s seize this moment and unlock the treasure trove of tourism, not just for our economic growth but for the world to witness the beauty, history, and vibrant culture of our nation. It’s not merely an opportunity; it’s our duty to ourselves, our future generations, and the world that’s been waiting to explore the wonders of Nigeria.

Ebere Joy is the current Miss Tourism Nigeria, a business consultant and financial advisor.

On Thursday, the Nigerian stock market experienced sell-offs that caused losses in Oando, Tantalizer, and other companies before the end of trade.

After five hours of trading today, the sell-offs reduced the equity capitalisation by N40 billion, from N37.40 trillion to N37.36 trillion.

The All-Share Index, which had previously closed at 68,335.72 but fell by 64.58 basis points to 68,271.14 today, mirrored the fall.

On Thursday, investors transacted 7,949 deals totaling 1.12 billion shares worth N5.81 billion.

More than 8,201 transactions totaling 566.63 million shares worth N5.38 billion were made on Wednesday by shareholders.

With a N0.15 kobo increase in share price, John Holt moved from N1.57 kobo to N1.72 kobo per share, topping the list of gainers.

In comparison to its starting share price of N0.21 kobo, DAAR Comm increased by 9.52 percent to close at N0.23 kobo.

Omatek’s share price increased from N0.42 kobo to N0.46 kobo, a 9.52 percent increase.

Mutual Benefit’s share price increased by 9.30 percent, rising from N0.43 to N0.47 kobo per share.

Shares of Sunu Assurance ended trading at N0.96 kobo, up 9.09 percent from N0.88 kobo.

Oando topped the losers’ table after shedding N1.45 kobo to drop from N14.60 kobo to N13.15 kobo per share.

Lasacol’s share price dropped by N0.20 kobo to end trading at N1.86 kobo from N2.06 per share.

Chams lost N0.14 kobo to end trading with N1.32 kobo from N1.46 kobo per share.

NNFM lost N1.55 kobo to drop from N16.80 kobo to N15.25 kobo per share.

Tantalizer’s share dropped from N0.35 kobo to N0.32 kobo per share after losing N0.90 kobo during trading.

Universal Insurance topped the day’s trading with 669.01 million shares valued at N134.20 million.

Oando followed with 100.68 million shares worth N1.45 billion.

Japaul Gold sold 43.73 million shares worth N43.38 million.

Access Corporation traded 40.14 million shares valued at N681.94 million, while UBA sold 32.45 million shares valued at N552.75 million.