Abdul Samad Rabiu naira prediction sees currency strengthening to ₦1,300–₦1,400 by year-end, citing Tinubu’s bold economic reforms

Abdul Samad Rabiu naira prediction has sparked cautious optimism in Nigeria’s business community, after the industrialist projected that the naira could strengthen to between ₦1,300 and ₦1,400 per dollar by the end of 2025.

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The president of BUA Group shared his forecast while speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Describing Tinubu’s economic policies as *bold and decisive*, Rabiu said the recent foreign exchange and fiscal reforms are already showing tangible results across sectors.

“I expect that the exchange rate is going to strengthen even further. I expect that the rate should come down to maybe ₦1,300, ₦1,400 before the end of the year. And this is something that we should all celebrate,” Rabiu remarked.

He noted a marked improvement in how businesses are accessing foreign exchange, explaining that many no longer rely solely on the Central Bank of Nigeria.

With credit cards and international banking becoming more accessible, the pressure on the official FX window has eased significantly.

“For all of this, we must give full credit to His Excellency and the government. Their bold reforms and decisive policies are creating the foundation for a stronger economy, a more stable currency, and a better future for businesses and Nigerians alike,” the BUA chairman added.

Rabiu also addressed concerns about inflation and rising living costs.

According to him, many staple food prices have started to fall compared to last year, signalling that the reforms are slowly easing inflationary pressures.

“If you look at the prices of food items last year and what we have today, you’ll see that there is a significant reduction in all the commodities,” he explained. “We just need to be a bit more patient. Clearly, things are getting better, and we must continue to support the government.”

Following his inauguration in 2023, President Tinubu made sweeping changes to Nigeria’s monetary policy, including the unification of FX windows and liberalisation of the naira — a move that drew both praise and concern from different sectors.

Earlier this year, Rabiu had lauded the Central Bank’s reforms, stating that businesses no longer had to “lobby” for dollars, as was often the case under the previous FX regime.

“I’ve only seen the current CBN Governor maybe twice since his appointment. That’s because I don’t need him. Before now, I used to visit the CBN every two weeks to lobby for FX. That was the only way to survive,” he noted in a recent comment.

As the year-end approaches, Rabiu’s upbeat outlook on the naira provides a rare note of encouragement in an economy still navigating the complex aftermath of currency liberalisation and structural reform.

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Whether his naira prediction holds will depend on sustained policy discipline and ongoing investor confidence.