THE EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE IN BALANCE OF PAYMENT OF NIGERIA ECONOMY

0
490

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In any nation, there are basically four objectives or goal of micro- economics policies.
i. High level of employment
ii. A reasonable stable price
iii. Rapid economic growth and maintenance of equilibrium in the international balance of payment.
The last objective (balance of payments stability is very crucial since then basic condition of the world community is one of the mutual independence. Again, there is not a country in the world that does not rely to some degree for it’s national well being on international trade and payment.
The truth carried particular force for must developing countries whose trade and payment magnitudes are particularly large in relation to domestic economics activity Killick (1981-187)
Since 1982, Nigeria has been experiencing a profound and sustained economic crisis used in her contemporary economic history indeed from the sailed on unsteadily and dangerously towards the devastating economic hurricane of the 1980’s . It can be said that the deeping current Nigerian economic crisis has in long term perspective spanned about two decades, since 1978. The crisis has in general been manifested in an acute problem of federal imbalance and accommodating monetary policy or expansion fiscal and monetary policy, fragile export base and weak non-oil export earning import depended production base and undiversified nature of the economy Obadan (2001 p242). Other problem include unprecedented increasing level of unemployment of the most energetic Imaginative, Innovative and highly educated and skilled section of the labour force. Low and decreasing level of capacity utilization in many others resulted into manufacturing Industries. All these and many others resulted into serious foreign exchange problem because exchange control were not applied consistently and the administered exchange late mechanism adopted led to the over evaluation of the naira exchange rate.

Nigeria has been endangered by high rate of foreign exchange, Inflation and balance of payment disequilibrium which led to series of political unrest and social disorder such as 29.9% average annual growth rate in 1980-1984 as recorded by the total domestic credit to the economy. And most of the increase was attributed to net claims by government simultaneously, two debit Inflation at a mean yearly rate of 20.2% was registered, clear evidence perhaps, in support of the monetarists proposition. But the Inflation in 1984, which stood at almost 40% is Imported goods and services imposed by Inadequate foreign exchange earning.
A derivation of the steep fall in crude oil price eqwaikide (et al 1994) before the Introduction of (SAP in 1986, the Nigerian economy was obviously distress for external reserve was high while the balance of payment area pushed the country to an economically disadvantaged position. Real out put declined and hence Import which in turn resulted to the decline in foreign exchange earning as such SAP was introduce in 1986 to eliminate there observed distortion in the economy. That’s why structural adjustment programme (SAP) getting price has foreign exchange rate reform as it’s central focus (FRM) in pursuit of this, the second tier foreign exchange market, (FEM) Inter-bank foreign exchange market (IFEM) was established.

The autonomous foreign exchange market (AFEM) especially for the Important of Important of finished goods and services as well as eliminating the stimulate non-oil exports, in addition to the new foreign exchange management system was to be relied upon to eliminate illegal currency trafficking, smuggling activities and foreign exchange malpractices. If the objectives of eliminating bureaucratic and rapid exchange control could be attained Ojo (1990). So far most of the designed exchange rate objectives has not been achieved because the prevailing exchange rate now cannot be described as a realistic exchange neither has it stimulate non oil exports.
Foreign capital inflow has been below expectation which capital flight has heightened yet the parallel foreign exchange market has not been eliminated. The unstable exchange rate and the balance of payment deficit position would be better appreciate if the nature dimension and cause closely understood.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH
The following problem has necessitated this
A) Prior to the adoption of SAP in 1986, Nigeria has no well spelt out trade policies. The aim was the formulation of trade policies meant to protect the local Industries thus the policies consists of quantitative Import control administered through Import licensing system relatively high tariff and imposition of quantity restrictions on imports by way of quota as and the out right barn on certain items. All their measures limits the free movement of goods and services and hence exchange of currencies both between Nigeria and other countries as a result, the exchange rate of Naira has been greatly affected by those economic controls.
B) Dependence on the oil sector for exchange earning
C) There exist the problem of foreign exchange inadequacy
D) Continuous depreciation of the naira exchange rate coupled with inability to determine precisely the level of exchange rate of the naira that would ensure the internal and external balance simultaneously.
(E) The existence of black market where the naira in exchange rate in the sense that the black market violates all policies and regulatory measures used by government to control the exchange rate of the naira and as such records the actual exchange due to the existence of the black market.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study includes
(a) To examine the relationship between exchange rate and the Nigeria balance of payment position
(b) To examine the relationship exports, imports and Nigerians balance or payment using economic analysis
(c) To examine the relationship between national income and Nigeria balance of payment using economic analysis
(d) To evaluate the level of impact of import on some economic variables (GDP) Gross domestic product, if-relative price index of average world price of Nigeria’s major agricultural commodities.
(e) Based on the finding, make policy recommendation that will be useful in fore-exchange management.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The general relevance of this study lies in it’s attempt towards the understanding of the relationship between exchange rate and balance of payment in the Nigeria economy. In particular by using Nigeria as an empirical evidence, the research will provide quantitative information which will enable us know and when to use exchange rate management policy to current balance of payment problem.
A further significancy of this study is that it will serve as one of the studies or research work aimed at verification or refutation of balance of payment theories since any theories, regardiess of its elegance in exposition or its sound logical consistency, cannot be established and generally accepted without some empirical testing.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Balance of payment deficit and unstable exchange rate is a global phenomenon and ha not been smooth in its movement in Nigeria. The study examines the relationship between balance of payment and exchange rate and the period covered by the research is twenty-five years period 1980-2004. this period is chosen because 1980-1986 is the pre-SAP period.
While 1986-1988 is the SAP period and 1989-2004 is the post SAP period.

THE EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE IN BALANCE OF PAYMENT OF NIGERIA ECONOMY