The Nigerian naira weakened further against the US dollar on Friday, capping the week on a bearish note in the official foreign-exchange market. Central Bank of Nigeria figures showed the currency slid to N1,370.46 per dollar, extending losses after Thursday’s N1,363.30 rate.
Quick facts
- Date: June 18, 2026
- Official market (Friday): N1,370.46 per US dollar
- Official market (Thursday): N1,363.30 per US dollar
- Weekly move (official market): naira down by N7.2 on Friday
- Black market (Friday): N1,395 per US dollar, unchanged
- External debt: $51.03 billion as of Thursday
- Official market performance this week: depreciation every day except Monday
- Net weekly change (official market): naira down by N14.19 versus the dollar
The Friday drop of N7.2 represents the largest depreciation recorded during the week leading up to the end of trading. In the parallel (black) market, however, the naira held steady at N1,395 per dollar, matching the rate from the previous day.
Market moves are unfolding alongside a backdrop of rising external liabilities. Nigeria’s external debt climbed to $51.03 billion as of Thursday, a development that can add pressure to foreign-currency demand and sovereign risk pricing.
Looking across the week, the naira weakened in the official market on every day except Monday. Over the full stretch reviewed, it has fallen by N14.19 against the dollar in the official foreign-exchange window, underscoring persistent downward momentum despite brief pauses.
