Economy
Forex crisis threatens modular refineries N25bn daily crude input

Modular refineries in Nigeria are currently facing the threat of shutting down operations following their inability to access foreign exchange for the purchase of crude oil, a commodity priced in United States dollars.
Nigeria has 25 licenced modular refineries with a combined capacity of producing 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
Although not all of the plants are currently operational, it was gathered that the functional ones were increasingly finding it difficult to purchase crude due to the worsening foreign exchange crisis in the country.
Brent, the global benchmark for crude, traded at about $80/barrel on Sunday and had remained within that range for months.
With an estimated capacity of 200,000bpd, the modular refineries, if fully operational, would refine about $16m (or N25.14bn if Thursday’s official closing rate of N1,571/dollar is used.”
Annually, it means the modular refineries has capacity for about 73 million barrels annually, representing about $5.84bn worth of crude oil.
But the facilities, which produce Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, Dual Purpose Kerosene or kerosene, naphtha and black oil, are now finding it hard to make the refined products available to oil marketers for distribution to consumers.
They explained that the scarcity of dollars had made it almost impossible for operators to purchase crude oil, as the modular refinery players and oil marketers demanded for the sale of crude oil in naira from the Federal Government.
The modular refinery operators, who spoke under the aegis of Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria, also lamented that the Federal Government had not been able to keep its part of the bargain with respect to the provision of feedstock to local crude oil refiners.
Speaking with our correspondent on the matter, the Publicity Secretary, Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, stated that modular refineries may close shop if nothing is done to ameliorate the situation.
CORAN is a registered association of modular and conventional refinery companies in Nigeria, while modular refineries are simplified refineries that require significantly less capital investment than traditional full-scale refineries.
Idoko said, “The purchase of crude oil in dollars is currently the major challenge to modular refineries. We buy crude in dollars and sell our refined products in naira, and this is a major challenge. And apart from that, where do you get the dollars to pay for the crude?
“You heard the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria crying out recently about the dollar saga. We have requested that crude oil be sold to us in naira. And when you do this, you ease the pressure on the naira and this will make our diesel cheaper.
“It will encourage more investors to build and patronise the local refineries. If you take petroleum products off the foreign exchange market, you would have helped the naira by 60 per cent.”
Asked whether the inability of modular refineries to source dollars for crude oil purchase was slowing down production at the plants, Idoko replied, “Yes. We’ve not been able to get enough crude and from the little that we see, we’ve not been able to get forex to buy them.”
On whether this posed a threat to the survival of the plants, the spokesperson of the group said, “Exactly, it is a threat to our existence and it also opens the country to the volatility in the international market.”
Although the association could not state the estimated volume of crude refined by modular refineries in Nigeria, it stated that operators in the sector could refine about 200,000 barrels daily if all of them were operating.
Idoko said, “Right now, I don’t have the actual volume of crude that modular refineries refine annually. However, it is important to state that what each refinery produces in a month is dependent on the amount of crude they are able to get.
“The government has not been able to fulfill its own side of the obligation by providing 60 per cent of the crude required by modular refineries, as captured in the Petroleum Industry Act. So a lot of modular refineries are performing below capacity.
“For instance, OPAC has a 10,000 barrels per day installed capacity, but the most they have been able to refine is like 3,000 to 4,000bpd. The Edo refinery has 1,000bpd, but sometimes they do just 500bpd. Aradel and Waltersmith are the ones that refine as much as 70 and 80 per cent of their capacities because they have their own marginal fields.
“Waltersmith has a capacity of 5,000bpd, while Aradel has 10,000bpd refining capacity. However, if all the modular refineries come onstream, all those that have been licensed so far, our crude demand would be about 150,000bpd and 200,000bpd.”
Nigeria currently has 25 licensed modular refineries. Five of them are operating and producing diesel, kerosene, black oil and naphtha. About 10 are under various stages of completion, while the others have received licences to establish.
Officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum could not be reached to tell whether the government would consider selling crude to the modular refineries in naira, as they had yet to respond to enquiries up till when this report was filed.
However, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, recently confirmed the lack of crude to domestic refiners, noting that Nigeria’s inability to meet its crude oil production quota approved by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries was the major limiting factor.
Lokpobiri, however, stated that the government was working hard to meet the production quota in order to supply crude oil to local refiners as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act.
Meanwhile, Idoko noted that “the current NNPC boss, petroleum minister and NUPRC have all talked about the possibility of having some arrangements with us in naira. But that hasn’t been implemented. Our people still source crude from domestic producers in dollars.
“We buy crude in dollars and sell our refined products in naira. So it is not that we earn dollar proceeds. Our earnings from the sale of diesel, kerosene and black oil is in naira.
“The only dollar component is the sale of naphtha, but most of our refineries won’t sell naphtha, they put it back into the system and reproduce kerosene or diesel. So we still have to visit the Central Bank of Nigeria or domestic dollar market to source our dollars.”
Marketers react
Commenting on the development, oil marketers stated that the continued fall of the naira against the dollar was limiting the release of refined petroleum products from the modular refineries.
Marketers under the aegis of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria stated that operators of these refineries had stated that the country’s foreign exchange crisis had made it difficult to put a price on refined petroleum products.
They called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to start supplying crude oil to local refineries in naira, considering the persistent fluctuations of the dollar.
The President, NOGASA, Benneth Korie, who conveyed the resolutions of members of the association after their meeting in Abuja, stated that the government should peg the foreign exchange rate at N750/$ in order to enable refineries to start pumping out refined products.
“If for example crude is $80/barrel, we will have to convert it to naira and sell to Nigerians at the naira rate. Let me start by telling you the implications. The problem holding most of these refineries and modular refineries from coming up is the exchange rate crisis.
“So the answer to this is for the government to come out and tell Nigerians that this is how much the dollar is, not this forex rate we hear on TV. Let the government come out and tell us the rate, not the black market rate.
“I know our budget this year was benchmarked at about N750/$. So if the government can maintain the exchange rate at N750/$, heaven will not fall, whether there is inflow or no inflow. It is not the first time we are seeing the dollar at N400 and they (black marketers) are selling for N800.
“So let’s go back and try it, because if we allow this crisis to continue, the dollar may get to what we cannot handle; it may get to the point that all our food items could be sold at dollar rates if care is not taken.
“Therefore, let us go back to N750/$ as it was stated in the budget and work with that, so that the crude oil that will be sold to the refineries will be sold at the exchange rate of N750/$, and it should be converted and we pay in naira.”
Explaining further, he said, “If you are buying crude oil from the government, you pay in dollars, but how do you blend? How much are you going to sell your refined products when you don’t know how much the dollar is going to be tomorrow?
“So it will affect you as a businessman. But if we have one price from the government, then when you are buying the crude from the government or NNPC, you will calculate it based on the government’s rate, convert it to naira and then sell it to Nigerians in naira.
“But when you go to get dollars today and they say it is N1,500, how do you calculate? It creates confusion. So it is causing a problem. Let’s have one rate from the government and things will change positively.”
The NOGASA president went ahead to speak on refineries under the management of NNPCL, as he stated that the forex crisis was also affecting these plants.
“For the Port Harcourt refinery, they said it will come up, and they are also into the business of buying and selling, so if the dollar is not stable, be rest assured it is their problem too,” Korie stated.
When probed further on whether the forex crisis was a major factor limiting the release of products from the refineries, he replied, “For most of them, yes!. This is because you don’t know how much you are going to buy the dollar and so you cannot tell how much you are going to sell (your products). It (dollar) is not stable.”
Speaking further on modular refineries, Korie said operators in this space were finding it tough to source dollars to make crude oil purchase, stressing that the instability of forex had remained a challenge.
On modular refineries, the problem they have is that they do not know how much they will buy and you are selling to them at the dollar rate. If you go to any modular refinery to buy products, the products’ price will be the same at almost the same price as the one you import,” the NOGASA boss stated.
Economy
SEE Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today 12th May 2025

Below is the black market exchange rate for the US Dollar to Naira as of Sunday, May 11, 2025. These are the rates at which you can exchange your dollars for naira.
Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate (Aboki FX)
According to sources at the Bureau De Change (BDC) in Lagos, the dollar was bought at ₦1625 and sold at ₦1630 on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
Important Notice:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize the parallel market, also known as the black market. The CBN advises anyone seeking foreign exchange to do so through their commercial banks.
Dollar to Naira Exchange Rates Today
Market Type Buying Rate Selling Rate
Black Market (Aboki) ₦1625 ₦1630
CBN Official Rate ₦1608–₦1614 –
Please note: Exchange rates may differ depending on the vendor or location, and the rates presented here might vary slightly from the actual rate at the point of transaction.
Economy
Naira Gains Slightly Against Dollar On May 8, 2025

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the naira is exchanging for ₦1,627 to 1 US dollar at the parallel market (black market) in Nigeria.
This reflects the current rate at which individuals are trading dollars for naira outside of official financial institutions.
This means that for every one dollar, you can get the equivalent in naira of ₦1,627 on May 8, 2025, showing a very slight improvement compared to the previous day, indicating a momentary easing of pressure on the naira against the dollar.
Thursday, May 8, 2025, records a marginal upward movement in the exchange rate, suggesting a bit of stability in the local currency for those transacting in foreign exchange.
The black market rate represents the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for naira outside official exchange channels, where the currency’s value is largely driven by supply and demand dynamics rather than government regulation.
Note that the Black Market Exchange rate is typically higher than the official exchange rate because it is not regulated by the government and reflects a more immediate, fluctuating market response.
Today’s exchange rate has slightly improved compared to yesterday, Wednesday, May 7, when the naira exchanged at ₦1,628 per dollar. (This means the naira gained a bit of value in the past 24 hours, possibly due to a brief easing in dollar demand or better forex inflow.)
The value of a country’s currency is determined by aggregate supply and demand, influenced by factors such as national interest rates, inflation, capital flow, and the overall money supply.
These forces, both internal and external, affect the strength of a nation’s currency and contribute to exchange rate fluctuations. The most common method to assess a currency’s value is through exchange rates. The two main exchange rate systems are the fixed rate and the floating rate systems, with the parallel market rate offering a real-time reflection of currency trends.
Investors and market participants closely monitor parallel market rates for a more immediate and practical reflection of currency trends, often making it a reliable indicator of short-term shifts in economic conditions.
Economy
SEE Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today – 7th May 2025

The dollar to naira rate keeps making headlines, and if you’re here, chances are you’re looking for today’s black market exchange rate – Wednesday, 7th May 2025. Whether you need to exchange dollars for business, personal use, or just want to stay updated, this post gives you the most accurate and up-to-date info on the dollar to naira rate in the parallel (Aboki) market.
We understand how quickly things can change in Nigeria’s forex market, so we’re committed to bringing you real-time figures and what’s influencing them.
What is the dollar-to-naira exchange rate on the black market, like the Aboki Fx?
The exchange rate for the US dollar (USD) to Nigerian Naira (NGN) in the parallel market, also known as black market, as of 7th May 2025, is N1,610 for 1 USD.
This rate is often sourced from the latest data provided by Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.
How much is a Dollar to Naira today in the Black Market?
What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate at the Black Market, especially the Aboki Fx?
Because of the dynamics of supply and demand in the informal foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official rates often differ significantly from those in the black market.
As of today, 7th May 2025, the black market buying rate for the US dollar is N1,600 while the selling rate is N1,610.
These rates change from time to time during the day, influenced by various factors including economic conditions, market speculation, and government policies.
The dollar-to-naira exchange rate in the black market has continued to fluctuate, reflecting the economic challenges and forex shortages in Nigeria.
In contrast to the black market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) maintains an official exchange rate. Today, the CBN rate for one dollar is N1,606.64.
The disparity between the official and black market rates highlights the pressure on the naira and the challenges in the country’s forex market.
Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Foreign Currency Buying rate Selling rate
DOLLAR ($USD) N1,600 N1,610
POUNDS STERLING (GBP) N2,120 N2,140
EURO (EUR) N1,780 1,800
CBN Exchange Rate Today
Foreign Currency Buying rate Selling rate
DOLLAR ($USD) N1,605.64 N1,606.64
POUNDS STERLING (GBP) N2,150.27 N2,151.61
EURO (EUR)
N1,823.68
N1,824.82
YUAN (CNY)
N222.49
N222.63
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR)
N428.07
N428.34
CRYPTOCURRENCY
At the time of posting
BITCOIN
1 BTC: NGN153M
1 NGN = 0.000000078BTC
ETHEREUM
1 ETH: NGN 2.9M
1 NGN: 0.00000034ETH
Variations in Forex Rates
Forex rates in Nigeria vary across different markets and platforms. The black market, official CBN rates, and rates offered by commercial banks and international money transfer operators all differ.
This discrepancy creates arbitrage opportunities and poses challenges for businesses and individuals needing foreign currency for legitimate transactions.
50 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
For people looking to exchange 50 US dollars today, the rate in the black market will be approximately N80,000 if obtained at the buying rate of N1,600 per dollar.
For those buying from retailers, it would cost N80,500 at the selling rate of N1,610 per dollar.
100 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
Exchanging 100 US dollars today in the black market will get you N160,000 if sold at the current buying rate.
For those purchasing dollars, it will cost them N161,000. This rate of increase no doubt affects businesses, travelers, and others who need dollars and other foreign currencies for overseas transactions.
500 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
A larger transaction of 500 US dollars will result in N800,000 at the buying rate and N805,000 at the selling rate in the black market today.
The higher volumes reflect the ongoing need for dollars in the business community.
1,000 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
For those who need up to 1000 US dollars, the black market will offer N1,600,000 at the buying rate and N1,610,000 at the selling rate.
-
News6 hours ago
Just in: Another major headache as 3 PDP senators defect to APC
-
News15 hours ago
US revokes governor’s visa
-
News15 hours ago
2nd Anniversary: Tinubu to commission Abuja International Conference Centre – Wike
-
News8 hours ago
Union seals Lagos company over racial discrimination of workers
-
News23 hours ago
SAD! Woman, child electrocuted in Edo
-
Metro14 hours ago
Tension in Ondo community as herdsman dies in clash with vigilance group
-
News14 hours ago
Taraba Woos Global Investors Ahead of Landmark Economic Summit
-
News6 hours ago
$1.43m scam: Ajudua on the run as Supreme Court orders his return to prison