The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased the exchange rate for cargo clearance at the nation’s seaports and airports from ₦1,600.32 to ₦1,618.732, marking the highest rate since March 2024.
This adjustment follows a 6.43% depreciation of the naira in July, adding to the challenges importers face due to rising import costs and inflationary pressures.
Despite the CBN’s efforts to stabilize the naira through various foreign exchange sales, market challenges persist. The Nigeria Trade Hub reported an increase of ₦18 in the exchange rate to the USD, reaching ₦1,618.732 from the previous rate of ₦1,600.32. The naira’s depreciation occurred despite the CBN’s interventions to address liquidity issues in the official market through dollar sales.
In July, the CBN conducted multiple FX sales to authorized dealers and Bureau de Change (BDC) operators in response to significant pressure on the naira. Clearing agent Oladimeji Majekodunmi expressed concerns that the cost of clearing containers at ports will substantially increase due to the exchange rate hike.
“The moment CBN increases, Customs don’t have a choice but to adjust the new duty in their system. Now, to clear a 40ft container of food items, it costs nothing less than ₦20 million and above. This was far below the amount we used to clear the same consignment before. You know how many times CBN has increased the rate in the last few months. The cargo throughput into the country has dropped significantly to about 30 percent. Come to the port now, you will see how empty and dry the whole place is,” Majekodunmi said.
Many agents are struggling to afford transportation to the port, let alone provide for their families. Importers face bankruptcy, leading to a highly unstable situation, he expressed with concern. Majekodunmi highlighted the necessity for the Central Bank to establish a stable exchange rate for importers, noting that fluctuations in the exchange rate are detrimental to the economy.
Additionally, Lucky Amiwero, National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), called on the federal government, through the CBN, to introduce a special exchange rate for the calculation of import duties. Amiwero stressed that a consistent and manageable exchange rate for import duties would foster economic development and positively impact the wider Nigerian populace.
He voiced serious apprehension regarding the current reliance on floating exchange rates for customs duty assessments, contending that this method has significantly contributed to the increasing costs of goods and the rise in food prices within Nigerian markets. Amiwero pointed out that the use of a floating exchange rate creates uncertainty in the process of clearing goods at ports, complicating logistics, and imposing a substantial financial strain on consumers.
“We wish to highlight to the federal government the severe challenges faced by Nigerians, particularly due to the soaring prices of goods driven by the floating exchange rate applied to import duty computations. This issue has drastically reduced importation, disrupted transportation, and made basic foodstuffs increasingly scarce, especially for those who struggle to make ends meet and have no financial safety net,” he added.
He elaborated that the variable rates in the liberalized foreign exchange market have resulted in erratic and unpredictable pricing, contributing to an unusual increase in the final sale prices of products. To tackle these issues, Amiwero advocated for initiatives aimed at removing the uncertainties and inconsistencies linked to the existing exchange rate system. He emphasized the necessity of stabilizing the domestic trading landscape to create a more reliable framework for importers.
