By Tony Obiechina Abuja 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a Balance of Payments (BOP) surplus of $6.83 billion for the 2024 financial year, marking a decisive turnaround from deficits of $3.34 billion in 2023 and $3.32 billion in 2022.

 

According to a statement by the CBN Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali on Wednesday, the improvement reflects the impact of wide-ranging macroeconomic reforms, stronger trade performance, and renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy.

Stronger Trade and External Account Performance

The current and capital account recorded a surplus of $17.22 billion in 2024, underpinned by a goods trade surplus of $13.

17 billion. 

Petroleum imports declined by 23.2% to $14.06 billion, while non-oil imports fell by 12.6% to $25.74 billion. On the export side, gas exports rose by 48.3% to $8.66 billion, and non-oil exports increased by 24.6% to $7.46 billion.

Remittance inflows remained resilient, with personal remittances rising by 8.9% to $20.93 billion. International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) inflows surged by 43.5% to $4.73 billion, up from $3.30 billion in 2023, reflecting stronger engagement from theNigerian diaspora. Official development assistance also rose by 6.2% to $3.37 billion.

Improved Financial Account and Reserve Position recorded a net acquisition of financial assets totalling $12.12 billion. Portfolio investment inflows more than doubled, increasing by 106.5% to $13.35 billion, while resident foreign currency holdings grew by $5.41 billion, indicating stronger confidence in domestic economic stability. 

Although foreign direct investment fell by 42.3% to $1.08 billion, the overall financial account posted notable gains.
The country’s external reserves increased by $6.0 billion to $40.19 billion 

The Naira appreciated in the official market on Friday, trading at N1,492.49 against the Dollar. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) website showed the Naira gained N6.57. This marks a 0.44 per cent increase compared to Thursday, Feb. 27, when it closed at N1,499.07 to the Dollar.

The local currency ended Wednesday’s trading at N1,499. 11 against the Dollar. The Naira has remained relatively stable following CBN reforms aimed at ensuring transparency in the Foreign Exchange (FX) market. Analysts have praised the CBN for the steady progress of the Naira since December 2024. However, Prof. Jonathan Aremu, a retired CBN Director, has warned that it is too soon to celebrate. Aremu, a Professor of International Economic Relations at Covenant University, is also a Regional Expert on Trade and Investment for ECOWAS. Speaking to newsmen on Friday, Aremu called for increased production to sustain the Naira’s gains. He described the currency’s steady appreciation against the Dollar as a positive development. “But it may not be time to celebrate yet because, within this period, we have also seen moments when the Naira depreciated,” he said. He urged the CBN to focus on boosting productive activity in the economy to maintain stability. According to him, the apex bank should look beyond interest rates and consider other factors influencing production and liquidity. “The quantity theory of money states that money supply and population value must equal price and transaction volume in the economy. “If policy only targets money supply without increasing transactions, the expected appreciation of the Naira will not materialise. “The economy needs a higher volume of goods and services. Many goods are available, but their prices depend on supply and demand. “Focusing only on monetary policy is insufficient. More emphasis should be placed on increasing production,” he said. He added that expanding production will further reduce the value of foreign currencies, strengthening the Naira. Aremu noted that foreign exchange is depreciating partly because people cannot afford to buy due to economic conditions. “The CBN should not only focus on reducing money supply but also support the availability of quality goods and services,” he said. Also, Cordros Securities, in its weekly economic update on Friday, attributed the Naira’s appreciation to reduced demand pressure in spite of declining foreign exchange (FX) reserves. The report noted that FX reserves fell by $241.50 million week-on-week to $38.46 billion as of Feb. 27, marking the seventh consecutive week of decline. “We expect FX liquidity to remain strong as a more efficient market and improved confidence continue to support inflows from autonomous sources,” the report stated. “The CBN is also expected to intervene during periods of high volatility, ensuring the Naira remains stable in the near term,” it added. (NAN)

The Naira further appreciated in the official market on Friday, trading at N1,474.78 to the Dollar.

Data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange official forex trading platform revealed that the Naira gained N11.17.

This represents a 0.7 per cent increase compared to the previous day’s trading figure on Thursday, when the local currency closed at N1,485.

95 to the Dollar.

Trading in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) Forex window on Friday saw a high of N1,495.

01 and a low of N1,447.50.

The Naira has remained stable against the US Dollar since December 2024, supported by sustained reforms from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The reforms aimed at ensuring transparency in the foreign exchange (FX) market.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the 2025 Monetary Policy Forum, stated that recent reforms in the FX segment had continued to attract foreign investments.

Cardoso reassured that the apex bank would sustain efforts to ensure continued inflows. (NAN)