Economy
Oil Prices Jump, Stocks Fall On Middle East Tensions

Oil prices surged and major stock markets mostly retreated Thursday as investors reacted to fears of widening conflict in the Middle East.
Prices jumped after US President Joe Biden said he was “discussing” possible Israeli strikes on Iranian oil sites in retaliation for Tehran’s missile barrage on Israel.
Brent, the international benchmark, surged more than five percent to $77.62 a barrel, with US contract West Texas Intermediate rising similarly.
Major US stock indices spent most of the day in the red, with the S&P 500 ending down 0.2 percent.
London, Paris and Frankfurt all closed in the red.
A strike by US dockworkers and speculation about the US Federal Reserve’s next interest rate moves also had an influence on investors, with a key employment report coming Friday.
The dollar gained, helped by its haven status, with the British pound sinking more than one percent against the greenback as Bank of England chief Andrew Bailey hinted at faster cuts to UK borrowing costs.
In Asia, Tokyo closed two percent higher as the yen eased, providing oxygen to the country’s exporters.
Hong Kong fell for the first time in more than a week, after a blistering surge fueled by China’s bold steps to stimulate its weak economy.
Iran’s missile attack on Israel this week has raised fears that Israel’s conflict with Tehran-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon may grow into a wider regional war.
“Markets are in a state of suspense, bracing for Israel’s anticipated retaliation against Iran — a move that could catapult oil prices skyward,” said independent markets analyst Stephen Innes.
Iran, which backs Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, said it would step up its response if Israel counterattacked.
More than 1,000 people have so far been killed in the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, which has included strikes on Beirut.
Israel’s military said Thursday it had hit Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in the Lebanese capital, as troops battled militants near the border and warplanes dropped bombs around the country.
Analysts, however, said oil price gains could be limited as US stockpiles rose more than expected last week while Libya’s eastern administration announced Thursday it had ended a month-long production and export blockade.
The Saudi-led OPEC+ oil cartel is due to raise production from December, further easing concerns about supply.
Investors will turn their attention to key US non-farm payroll jobs report on Friday, which could provide clues about the Fed’s plans for interest rates after last month’s first cut in four years.
Data on Wednesday showed a surprise uptick in US private sector hiring in September.
“Friday’s official payroll report will be critical, especially as markets weigh geopolitical risks against the domestic economy’s performance,” said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at City Index and Forex.com.
Key figures around 2030 GMT
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 5.0 percent at $77.62 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 5.2 percent at $73.71 per barrel
New York – Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 42,011.59 (close)
New York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.2 percent at 5,699.94 (close)
New York – Nasdaq: DOWN less than 0.1 percent at 17,918.48 (close)
London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 8,282.52 (close)
Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 1.3 percent at 7,477.78 (close)
Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.8 percent at 19,015.41 (close)
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.0 percent at 38,552.06 (close)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.5 percent at 22,113.51 (close)
Shanghai – Composite: Closed for a holiday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3124 from $1.3266 on Wednesday
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1029 from $1.1048
Euro/pound: UP at 84.03 pence from 83.26 pence
Dollar/yen: UP at 146.92 from 146.38 yen
AFP
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.
Economy
75.5% of rural Nigerians now live below poverty line — World Bank

The World Bank has disclosed that a staggering 75.5 per cent of rural Nigerians are now living below the poverty line, reflecting deepening hardship in the country’s hinterlands.
This was revealed in the Bank’s April 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief for Nigeria, which paints a grim picture of worsening economic hardship, widening inequality, and persistent underdevelopment across much of the nation.
While poverty is widespread among urban populations, the report emphasised that the situation is significantly worse in rural areas, where economic stagnation, high inflation, and insecurity have exacerbated living conditions.
“Based on the most recent official household survey data from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, 30.9 per cent of Nigerians lived below the international extreme poverty line of $2.15 per person per day in 2018/19 before the COVID-19 pandemic,” the report stated.
The report also highlighted Nigeria’s enduring regional disparities. “Nigeria remains spatially unequal. The poverty rate in northern geopolitical zones was 46.5 per cent in 2018/19, compared with 13.5 per cent for southern ones. Inequality measured by the Gini index was estimated at 35.1 in 2018/19.
“Nigeria’s Prosperity Gap — the average factor by which individuals’ incomes must be multiplied to attain a prosperity standard of $25 per day for all — is estimated at 10.2, higher than most peers.”
Despite successive policy interventions, these figures underscore a persistent economic divide across the country.
The report’s demographic analysis found that children aged 0 to 14 years had a poverty rate of 72.5 per cent, reflecting the scale of deprivation among the youngest segment of the population.
Gender disparities were also observed, with 63.9 per cent of females and 63.1 per cent of males classified as poor under the $3.65 per day lower-middle-income threshold.
Education emerged as a significant determinant of poverty, with Nigerians lacking formal education experiencing a poverty rate of 79.5 per cent. This contrasts with 61.9 per cent for those with primary education and 50.0 per cent for secondary school graduates. Only 25.4 per cent of those with tertiary education were considered poor.
The report also drew attention to multidimensional poverty indicators, which further reflect widespread deprivation.
According to the World Bank, about 30.9 per cent of Nigerians live on less than $2.15 daily, 32.6 per cent lack access to limited-standard drinking water, 45.1 per cent do not have limited-standard sanitation, and 39.4 per cent have no electricity.
Education access remains a challenge, with 17.6 per cent of adults yet to complete primary education, and 9.0 per cent of households reporting at least one school-aged child not enrolled in school.
The report noted that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to reduce extreme poverty had largely stalled.
“Before COVID-19, extreme poverty reduction had almost stagnated, dropping by only half a percentage point annually since 2010. Living standards of the urban poor are hardly improving, and jobs that would allow households to escape poverty are lacking,” the report read.
Although the World Bank acknowledged recent economic reforms aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook, it warned that persistently high inflation continues to undermine household purchasing power, particularly in urban areas where incomes have not kept pace with rising costs.
In light of the worsening situation, the Bank called for urgent policy action to shield vulnerable groups from inflationary shocks and to drive job creation through more productive economic activities.
Economy
Naira Records Marginal Decline Against Dollar at Official Market

The Nigerian naira experienced a mild drop in value on Friday, closing at ₦1,602.18 per dollar in the official foreign exchange market, based on figures released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
This marks a decrease of ₦5.49 from the rate of ₦1,596.69 recorded on April 30, the last trading day before the May 1 Workers’ Day holiday—indicating a depreciation of approximately 0.34%.
Earlier in the week, from Monday to Wednesday, the naira remained relatively stable, exchanging at ₦1,599.95, ₦1,599.71, and ₦1,596.69 respectively.
Although the local currency showed some consistency mid-week, it wrapped up the week with a loss, following a sligh dip of 0.02% at the beginning of the week
-
News20 hours ago
Real cause of Herbert Wigwe’s helicopter crash revealed
-
Politics22 hours ago
Ughelli North PDP Holds Crucial Meeting
-
News12 hours ago
Just in: Finally, EFCC bows to pressure, releases VDM
-
Economy21 hours ago
SEE Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today – 7th May 2025
-
News16 hours ago
Just in: Lagos LG chairman slumps during APC meeting
-
News18 hours ago
Just in: Security and Exchange Commission declares PWAN as PONZI scheme, cautions Nigerians
-
News20 hours ago
FG starts massive overhaul of NYSC scheme, plans teachers’, medical corps
-
News17 hours ago
Multiple video evidence against Nnamdi Kanu