The naira fell on Friday, easing against the US dollar at Nigeria’s official foreign exchange window and leaving the week on a softer footing. Central Bank of Nigeria figures indicated that the currency slid to 1,375.46 naira per dollar on Friday, compared with 1,372.31 naira per dollar on Thursday. On a day-to-day basis, that amounts to a depreciation of 3.15 naira versus the dollar.
In the parallel or “black” market, however, the exchange rate was unchanged at 1,400 naira per dollar on Friday, maintaining the same level it has held since Monday. The currency move comes alongside an improvement in external buffers: Nigeria’s foreign reserves climbed to 48.89 billion US dollars as of May 21, 2026, rising from 48.72 billion US dollars recorded two days earlier, based on data from the apex bank.
Over the review week, the naira posted a mix of increases and declines against the dollar in the official foreign exchange market, reflecting ongoing volatility in pricing between different segments of the market.
