Economy
FOREX Reserves Dip By $505.68 Million In August, Biggest Drop In Four Months
By Mario Deepromoter
Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have dipped by about $505.68 million (1.37%) in August 2024.
This is according to the latest data on the reserves from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The marginal decline in the country’s external reserves coincided with the Nigerian government’s issuance of a $500 million domestic dollar bond, which is expected to provide much-needed support to the external reserves.
The CBN reported a reduction of $505.68 million, bringing the reserves down from $36.827 billion on August 1 to $36.321 billion by August 29, 2024.
Data from the CBN indicate a consistent decline throughout August, with a notable dip in the final week.
The reserves, which stood at $36.827 billion at the beginning of the month, gradually decreased as the weeks progressed.
By August 8th, the reserves had decreased to $36.848 billion, and by mid-month, they had further dropped to $36.529 billion on August 15th.
The decline continued steadily, reaching $36.444 billion by August 22nd and then $36.321 billion by the month’s end.
First time in four months
The dip represents the steepest monthly decline in Nigeria’s forex reserves since April 2024.
This persistent decline comes after a four-month period of about $4 billion growth in the external reserves. It also means that the reserves have lost about 12.64% of its four-month gain in August 2024.
It further highlights the struggle faced by Nigeria’s financial authorities in maintaining reserve levels amidst ongoing economic pressures, including the need to meet import demands and debt obligations, as well as manage liquidity for the naira’s stability.
What you should know
In the first week of August, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold $876.26 million at N1,495/$1 to 26 qualified banks in its latest Retail Dutch Auction.
According to a statement from the CBN, a total bid of $1.18 billion was received from 32 dealer banks. However, bids from six banks were disqualified, as four banks did not meet up with the deadline while two did not provide bids in their submitted templates.
Amid the decline in FX reserves, the Nigerian official foreign exchange (FX) market experienced a marked decline in turnover in August, despite the initial Retail Dutch Auction conducted by the CBN.
Data obtained from the FMDQ by Nairalytics, the research arm of Nairametrics, reveals a reduction of $1.08 billion, with total turnover falling to $3.25 billion, from $4.34 billion recorded in July 2024.
This decline of 25% highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the official FX market in terms of liquidity and stability.
The average daily FX turnover decreased from $189.42 million in July to $144.71 million in August, reflecting a 23.61% reduction. This decline suggests a significant drop in market activity, indicating increasing difficulties in accessing foreign currency.
On August 19, 2024, the federal government of Nigeria officially issued a $500 million domestic dollar bond.
This bond, part of the government’s financing initiatives, has a 9.75% per annum interest rate and is set to mature in 2029.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated that the $500m domestic dollar bond will enhance external reserves and help stabilize the foreign exchange situation in the country.
The Nigerian Naira displayed a slight softening against the US Dollar in the early trading hours of Thursday, April 23, 2026, across both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets. Financial analysts are keeping a close eye on the market as mid-week demand for the greenback continues to influence rate stability.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira opened the trading day with a modest depreciation.
According to real-time data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange, the Naira is currently trading at an average of 1,351.59 NGN per 1 USD. This represents a marginal decline compared to the opening rates observed earlier in the week, where the currency had seen support near the 1,347 NGN level.
Market turnover at the official window remains a key point of focus for investors, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) maintains its policy of managed float to curb excessive volatility while ensuring essential sectors have access to foreign currency.
Parallel Market Trends
The informal or parallel market continues to trade at a significant premium compared to the official rate. Early morning reports from Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in major hubs such as Lagos (Ikeja and Broad Street), Abuja (Wuse Zone 4), and Kano suggest that the Dollar is being exchanged at rates ranging between 1,465 NGN and 1,480 NGN.
The spread between the NFEM and the parallel market currently sits at approximately 113 Naira, a gap that experts attribute to the unmet demand from small-scale importers and individuals seeking personal travel allowances (PTA) who often find the official channels more stringent.
Economic Factors and Outlook
The current pressure on the Naira is largely attributed to sustained demand for the Dollar to fund international trade obligations and service foreign debt. Additionally, the recent fluctuations in global oil prices—Nigeria’s primary source of foreign exchange—continue to dictate the strength of the nation’s external reserves.
As the trading session progresses into the afternoon, participants expect the rate to stabilize, though any significant intervention from the apex bank or shifts in market liquidity could alter the closing figures for the day. Market watchers are advised to monitor official closing reports for a comprehensive view of the day’s performance.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N2.036 trillion among the Federal Government, states and the Local Government Councils (LGCs).
The revenue was shared at the April meeting of FAAC in Abuja.
The N2.036 trillion total distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N1.320 trillion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N515.391 billion and Agumentation of N200 billion.
A communiqué issued by FAAC indicated that total gross revenue of N2.364 trillion was available in the month of March.
It said that total deduction for cost of collection was N81.084 billion, while total transfers, refunds and savings was N246.872 billion and Agumentation of N200 billion.
The communiqué said gross statutory revenue of N1.699 trillion was received for the month of March 2026.
This is higher than the sum of N1.561 trillion received in the preceding month by N137.914 billion.
“Gross revenue of N664.425 billion was available from VAT in March 2026.
“This was lower than the N668.450 billion available in the month of February 2026 by N4.025 billion,” it said.
The communiqué said from the N2.036 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received total sum of N789.159 billion and the state governments received total sum of N657.596 billion.
It said that the LGs received N468.826 billion, while the sum of N120.759 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting State as derivation revenue.
“On the N1.320 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N632.260 billion and the state governments received N320.691 billion.
“The LGs received N247.239 billion and the sum of N120.759 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue,” it said.
It said that from the N515.391 billion distributable VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N51.539 billion, the state governments received N283.465 billion and the LGs received N180.387 billion.
It said that from the N200 billion Augmentation, the Federal Government received N105.360 big government received N53.440 billion, and the LGs received N41.200 billion.
It said that in March, Companies income Tax (CIT), CGT, SDT and Excise Duty increased significantly.
It said that Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), Oil and Gas Royalty, Import Duty and CET decreased considerably, while VAT decreased marginally.
(NAN)
The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 20th April 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.
The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today, including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.
Please note that the exchange rate is subject to hourly fluctuations influenced by the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 20th April 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1400 and buy at ₦1390 on Monday 20th April, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1400
Buying Rate ₦1390
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1348
Lowest Rate ₦1340
Disclaimer:NEWSRAIN NIGERIA does not set or determine forex rates. The official NAFEX rates are obtained from the FMDQOTC website. Parallel market rates (black market rates) are obtained from various sources, including online media outlets. The rates you buy or sell forex may be different from what is captured in this article.
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