Business

Naira Scarcity May Push Nigerians Into Depression, Suicide —Psychiatrist

Published

3 years ago

February 8, 2023

A Professor of Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Taiwo Sheikh, has warned that the scarcity of the old and new naira notes will push many Nigerians into frustration and depression.

He also said the situation would worsen the cases of suicide in the country if the Federal Government fails to urgently address the problem.

Prof. Sheikh, who is the immediate past President of the Association of Psychiatry in Nigeria, said the situation if not checked will plunge a lot of Nigerians into mental health crises that will require hospital admission amid a scarcity of manpower and infrastructure.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with PUNCH HealthWise, the psychiatrist lamented that a lot of Nigerians are frustrated and distressed by the naira scarcity.

He noted that Nigerians no longer enjoy optimum mental well-being as a result of recent happenings in the country including fuel scarcity.

The don said, “This scarcity of naira has already increased the rate of mental illness in the country. For an adult to strip himself naked in the bank is not normal. It is no longer what you consider to be normal.

“For people to be punching each other, carrying iron to be hitting one another in front of automated teller machines just to be able to get some money is not normal.

“These are evidence of frustration and when people are frustrated, there is a kind of transferred aggression. When you cannot face what is causing the frustration then you transfer the aggression elsewhere. Most of the time, you transfer it to others. The naira scarcity is generating a lot of frustration.”

Prof. Sheikh reiterated that if the situation is not checked, the country would have more people with mental disorders.

The professor warned, “If this distressing situation and the frustration is not checked, it will lead to mental illnesses that will increase the state of suicide in the country. There is no doubt about that, one thing leads to the other.

“People will develop depression and anxiety disorder. They will become psychotic, suicidal, and homicidal. People will attack others because of the transfer of aggression, and so many things.

“For those who have mental illnesses already, their situation will worsen.”

According to the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, more than 60 million Nigerians are suffering from mental illnesses, noting that only about 10 per cent of them can access appropriate care.

Prof. Sheikh clarified that mental well-being is not a mere absence of mental illness but the ability of an individual to cope with the day-to-day challenges of life without hurting another person.

“Now, when we say mental illness and we say optimum mental well-being, there is in-between that illness and mental well-being. That in-between is what we refer to as this period of distress and frustration.

“So, if you don’t handle such distressed situations very well, they can progress to clearcut mental illness. And if you can handle such a situation of distress adequately, then you can resolve it and then, your optimum well-being comes back. And you can face the challenges of life and move on. Situations like naira scarcity disrupt optimum mental well-being,” he said.

Giving insight into the importance of having optimum mental well-being, Prof. Sheikh said, “Your ability to have your aspiration without hurting another person and pursue it within the expected norms of socio-cultural setting and contribute to the development of your community.

“So, once a distressing situation like this comes in and you have to throw yourself naked in the banking hall, then your ability to cope has broken down. Then you are no longer enjoying optimum mental well-being.

“It does not mean you are sick at that time, but you are distressed enough not to enjoy optimum mental well-being anymore. If we can address your situation at that time, then you can reverse back to optimum mental well-being. But if we are not able to reverse your situation at that time, then you can go on to develop a frank mental illness that will require treatment and hospitalisation.”

According to him, the current situation in the country has shaken the optimum mental well-being of Nigerians and pushed many people towards distress and frustration.

“It has shaken them of that comfort zone of optimum mental well-being. They have shifted away from that comfort zone. Nigerians longer enjoy optimum mental well-being.

“So, we are struggling to cope and in our struggle to cope, we start throwing our anger at others and start showing abnormal behaviours.

“If the situation is not properly managed, then a lot of people will end up with mental illnesses that will require treatment.

“We are already on the edge. If it is not checked, then we are going to have more people with mental disorders,” the psychiatrist explained.

Prof. Sheikh urged the government to do things that will bring down the frustration in the land.

He said, “Government should do something very appropriate that will reduce suffering, frustration, and distress that people are going through.

“Government should make more money available to people to be able to have access to the basic needs of their lives.”
PUNCH

Business

Naira Records Highest Depreciation Against US Dollar

Published

19 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Naira recorded the highest depreciation against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange on Friday to end the week on a negative note.

Central Bank of Nigeria data showed that the Naira extended its dip on Friday to N1,423.17 against the dollar, down from N1,419.72 traded on Thursday.

This represents a N3.45 depreciation against the dollar on a day-to-day basis, the highest in the week under review and in 2026 so far.

Meanwhile, at the black market, the naira remained at N1,490 per dollar on Friday, the same rate recorded on Thursday.

In the other week, the Naira recorded three gains and two losses against the US dollar and other currencies.

The development comes amid the continued rise in the country’s external reserves, which hit $45.67 billion as of January 8, 2026.

Business

KPMG Flags Five Major ‘Errors’ In Nigerian Tax Laws

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

Fresh apprehension has surfaced over Nigeria’s newly implemented tax framework after KPMG Nigeria highlighted what it described as “errors, inconsistencies, gaps, and omissions” in the new tax laws that took effect on January 1, 2026. The professional services firm in a recent statement cautioned that failure to address these issues could weaken the overall objectives of the tax reforms.

Nigeria’s tax overhaul is built around four major legislations: the Nigeinpieces of legislation:ria Tax Act (NTA), the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Establishment Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) Establishment Act. The laws were signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2025 and formally commenced in 2026. However, the reforms have continued to attract controversy since they were first introduced in October 2024.

Despite the concerns, government officials have consistently described the reforms as essential to improving Nigeria’s low tax-to-GDP ratio and modernisingpieces of legislation:modernizing the country’s tax system in line with evolving economic conditions.

In a detailed review, KPMG outlined several areas of concern.

Capital gains, inflation modernizing inflation and market response

KPMG flagged Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigeria Tax Act, which require capital gains to be calculated as the difference between sale proceeds and the tax-written-down value of assets, without adjusting for inflation. According to the firm, this approach is problematic given Nigeria’s prolonged high-inflation environment.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that headline inflation has remained in double digits for eight consecutive years, averaging over 18 percent between 2022 and 2025. Over the same period, asset prices have been significantly influenced by currency depreciation and general price increases.

Market data also reflects investor sensitivity to tax policy changes. Although the NGX All-Share Index gained more than 50 percent over the year and market capitalisation inflation,capitalization approached N99.4 trillion, equities experienced sharp sell-offs in late 2025. In November alone, market value reportedly declined by about N6.5 trillion amid uncertainty surrounding the new capital gains tax regime.

KPMG warned that taxing nominal gains in such an environment could result in investors paying tax on inflation-driven increases rather than real economic gains. The firm recommended introducing a cost indexation mechanism to adjust asset values for inflation, noting that this would reduce distortions while still enabling the government to earn revenue from genuine capital appreciation.

Indirect transfers and foreign investment concerns

Attention was also drawn to Section 47 of the Nigeria Tax Act, which subjects gains from indirect transfers by non-residents to Nigerian tax where the transactions affect ownership of Nigerian companies or assets.

This provision comes at a time of subdued foreign investment. Figures from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development indicate that foreign direct investment inflows into Nigeria remain below pre-2019 levels, reflecting ongoing investor caution.

While similar rules exist in other countries, KPMG noted that they are often supported by detailed guidance and clear thresholds. The firm advised Nigerian tax authorities to issue comprehensive administrative guidelines to clarify scope, thresholds,capitalizationthresholds, and reporting obligations inorder to reduce disputes and limit potential negative effects on foreign investment.

Foreign exchange deductions and business impact

Another issue identified relates to Section 24 of the Act, which restricts businesses from deducting foreign-currencyforeign currency expenses beyond their naira equivalent at the official Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rate.

In reality, limited access to official foreign exchange forces many companies to source FX at higher parallel market rates. Under the current rule, the additional cost becomes non-deductible, effectively increasing taxable profits and overall tax liabilities.

KPMG observed that although the provision aims to discourage FX speculation, it does not adequately reflect supply constraints. The firm recommended allowing deductions based on actual costs incurred, provided transactions are properly documented, to avoid penalisingforeign currencypenalizing businesses for factors outside their control.

VAT-related expense disallowances

Section 21(p) of the Nigeria Tax Act also came under scrutiny for disallowing deductions on expenses where VAT was not charged, even if the costs were entirely business-related.

Given Nigeria’s large informal sector and persistent VAT compliance gaps, analysts argue that the rule unfairly shifts part of the VAT enforcement burden onto compliant taxpayers. KPMG advised that the provision be removed or significantly amended, stressing that expense deductibility should be based on whether costs were wholly and necessarily incurred for business, while VAT compliance should be enforced directly on defaulting suppliers.

Non-resident taxation uncertainties

KPMG further highlighted ambiguities around the compliance obligations of non-resident companies. While the Nigeria Tax Act recognizespenalizingrecognizes withholding tax as the finalthe final tax for certain nonresident payments in the absence of a permanent establishment or significant economic presence, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act does not clearly exempt such entities from registration and filing requirements.

Nigeria’s network of double taxation treaties, including agreements with the UK, South Africa, Canada, and France, generally supports the principle that final withholding tax extinguishes further obligations. Experts warn that inconsistencies between the laws could create uncertainty and discourage foreign participation.

KPMG recommended harmonizing the relevant provisions of the NTA and NTAA, with explicit exemptions for non-resident companies whose tax obligations have been fully settled through withholding tax. The firm noted that such alignment would ease compliance and enhance Nigeria’s appeal for cross-border transactions.

As Nigeria undertakes its most extensive tax reform in decades, KPMG concluded that the success of the overhaul will depend on clarity, consistency, and alignment with international best practices. Without timely amendments, businesses may face higher costs, foreign investors could remain cautious, and capital markets may continue to experience volatility.

Recall that KPMG concerns come after a lawmaker, Abdulsamman Dasuki, raised alarm over alleged alterations to the gazetted tax laws.
(DAILY POST)

Business

Naira Records First Depreciation Against US Dollar In 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Naira recorded its first depreciation against the United States dollar in the official foreign exchange market on Thursday, the first time in 2026 so far.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that it weakened on Thursday after days of gains to N 1,419.72 per dollar, down from N 1,418.26 on Wednesday.

This means that for the first time this year, the Naira dipped by N1.46 against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.

Similarly, the Naira also depreciated by N10 at the black market to N1,490 on Thursday, down from the N1,480 recorded the previous day.

This comes despite the continued rise in the country’s foreign reserves to $45.64 billion as of Wednesday, 7th January 2026.

DAILY POST reports that the Naira recorded a seven-day bullish run at the official foreign exchange before Thursday’s decline.