Nigeria's Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele briefs the media during the MPC meeting in Abuja, Nigeria January 24, 2020. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File PhotoABUJA, Aug 15 - Nigeria is facing dollar liquidity issues in its foreign exchange market due to "gross mismanagement" at the central bank over several years, a presidential spokesman said on Tuesday.
His spokesman made the comments following calls by fuel retailers to increase petrol prices due to a weakening of the exchange rate on the black market, which absorbs overflow currency demand from the official market where the dollar is scarce. Emefiele, appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari for a second five-year term in 2019, was due to retire next year. Buhari had supported a strong currency which he viewed as a matter of national pride.