NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE DEPRECIATION AND DOMESTIC INFLATION IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The research work critically examined the extent to which naira exchange rate depreciation had affected domestic inflationary rate in Nigeria between 1985 – 2000.
Therefore, in this study, the researcher examined the trend of inflation and exchange and the relationship between the two variables.  A model was specified to show the relationship between both variables. Also interest rate was included in the model as one of the variables that affect inflation.
The model was then estimated using multiple regression method and variable statistical tests where carried out on the regression equation.
The result was analyzed accordingly. Moreover, the result of the statistical test shows that exchange rate depreciation of Naira is significant in explaining variation in the rate of inflation.
Finally, the data for the project work was collected from most recent years in order to make finding, adequate in explaining the cause of inflation in recent times.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The naira exchange rate depreciation coupled with persist increase in the inflationary rate has been a major bane on economy of Nigeria. To a layman inflation is a phenomena to embrace as his income increases daily without knowing the harmful side of such an increase. Whether there is anything like depreciation or an improvement in the exchange or whether is income is nominal or real the layman do not know.
But this complementary problems so to say of naira exchange rate depreciation and inflation has been a thought of obesity in the hearts of Nigerians past and present governments and many patriotic Nigerians.
The pegging of, inflation in Nigeria can be said to be a direct result of the policies of the country’s governments to stimulate a fast rate of economic growth and development, since 1951 when the ministerial government was introduced between 1984 and 1986, the naira was quoted against dollar and pounds as the only intervening currencies which was in line with the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F) demand. I.M.F had earlier complained that naira exchange rate was rising above the stipulated 2% limit. The naira was then devalued at 1.000 4 US dollar. The inflation rate in Nigeria was not serious problem before her independence. But immediately after the civil war i.e. from 1970’s, the inflation rate in Nigeria took another dimension. The value of naira as against dollar and pounds sterling started to deteriorate, in 1970, it was a naira to 1.400 dollar and 0.584 pounds sterling. In 1971, it was 1.44 dollar and 0.582 pounds sterling to a naira. In 1973, it was 1.519 dollar and 0.614 pounds sterling to a naira. In 1974 it was 1.589 and 0.675 pounds sterling to naira which increased to 1.623 dollars and 0.734 pounds sterling in 1975 as a result of Udoji salary award of 1974 increased wage extensively. Higher wages increased the purchasing power of consumers thus, leading to increase in their prices.
The introduction of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), and second-Tier Foreign Exchange (SFEM) in 1986 on one of government’s major policy packages, was aimed at making the over, valued naira exchange rate more realistic and responsive to market forces. Regrettably, C. Anyanwu (1989) observed, the SAP/SEFEM was a disaster that was fast destroying the foundation of Nigeria economy. There was consequent persistence of exchange rate depreciation of the naira (from 1.5691 naira to 1.0 dollar at the end of September 1986, 7.8950 naira to 1.0 dollar by mid February 1990). Also by August 1998, the dollar was sold for 21.9960 naira at the Foreign Exchange Market (FEM) while at parallel market it was sold for 45 naira. The value of naira continued to depreciate to the extent that the exchange rate was less than one dollar to a naira before 1990. It was 0.119 US dollar to a naira in 1990. This depreciated to 115.7 to a dollar by the 12 April, 2001 (CBN) 1994. By 2003, it has risen N130 to the US dollar.
