Economy
CHECK Exchange Rate As Naira Weakens More In Parallel Market
Naira has continued its downward slide in the parallel market on Thursday, exchanging at N1,621/$1, a depreciation from N1,580/$1 recorded just a day earlier on Wednesday.
This represents a N41 decline in 24 hours, deepening concerns among traders and economic watchers about sustained volatility in the FX market.
While the official exchange rate stood at N1,644.00/$1 on Wednesday, according to figures published on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) website, there was no updated official rate published by the CBN several hours after the market close on Thursday.
Meanwhile, market participants at Wuse Zone 4 in Abuja attributed the persistent depreciation to a resurgence in speculative activities, unmet demand from importers, and lingering confidence issues in the foreign exchange market.
Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), attributed the ongoing volatility in the forex market to a mix of local and global uncertainties. In a message sent to Nairametrics, he stated:
“The volatility, fears, happenings, and shocks in both the local and international markets called for disdain.
President Trump’s tariff announcements have sent markets into panic, loss of confidence, revenue losses, and budget reviews.”
He added that despite ongoing interventions by the CBN, instability persists.
“As usual, the CBN, being a catalytic actor, must continue to ensure stability through timely interventions. However, volatility remains a challenge and needs to be more comprehensively addressed,” Gwadabe said.
He further called for an expanded policy transmission mechanism to better serve the retail end of the FX market.
“It is therefore necessary for the CBN to reevaluate the efficacy of that Policy transmission mechanisms and expand its scope to the BDCs retail segment of the market to cater for the needs of the critical retail needs of invisible transactions where the BDCs pose the most potent tool of the CBN policy transmission mechanism.”
Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), also linked the naira’s recent struggles to global developments and speculative pressures.
“This is not unconnected to recent policy signals from President Trump and global oil price movements. The market is heavily information-driven, and speculative pressure has spiked following the tariff announcements,” Yusuf explained.
“Now that Trump appears to be having second thoughts, we might even see a bit of a breather in the FX market,” he added.
Meanwhile, traders on the ground say the situation is being worsened by the uncertainty surrounding ongoing government reforms and inconsistent access to official FX windows.
“The demand today was unusually high, especially from small businesses that can’t access the banks. It’s putting pressure on our supply,” a trader at Abuja’s Wuse Zone 4, who asked not to be named stated.
The spread between the official exchange rate of N1,644/$1 and the parallel market rate of N1,621/$1 narrowed slightly on Thursday, a sign that some convergence may be taking place, despite persistent volatility.
Market analysts warn that unless the CBN resumes consistent interventions or significantly boosts FX liquidity, the naira may continue to face downward pressure in the weeks ahead
The continued slide of the naira, despite heightened CBN interventions, signals persistent challenges in Nigeria’s FX liquidity and structural demand-supply mismatch.
The Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate for 13th January 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand.
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, 13th January 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1485 and buy at ₦1479 on Tuesday 13th January, 2025, 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 ₦1485
Buying Rate ₦1479
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1430
Lowest Rate ₦1420
The Nigerian Naira began the second week of January 2026 with continued fluctuations as market participants adjusted to early-year liquidity shifts in both the official and informal currency markets.
Official Market Performance
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the local currency maintained a relatively stable position against the greenback. Trading data from the early hours of Monday indicates that the Naira opened at approximately 1,426.69 per dollar. As the session progressed, the rate saw minor appreciation, settling around 1,423.82 per dollar by midday.
This movement reflects a 0.20 percent gain for the Naira, following efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to maintain transparency in price discovery and ensure a steady supply of foreign exchange to meet legitimate obligations. Market turnover remains a key indicator for observers, as the volume of dollars traded today will signal the level of corporate demand for the month of January.
Parallel Market Realities
In the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, the Naira traded at a slight premium compared to the official window. Reports from currency dealers in Lagos and Abuja show that the dollar is being exchanged at rates ranging between 1,475 and 1,490.
The gap between the official and parallel markets remains a point of interest for economic analysts. While the NFEM provides a benchmark for large-scale transactions, the parallel market continues to serve small-scale retail needs and individuals who may not have immediate access to official banking channels.
Market Outlook
The current stability observed today is attributed to a combination of factors, including steadying oil revenues and the central bank’s ongoing monetary tightening measures. However, pressure remains as importers begin to place orders for the first quarter of the year, potentially testing the resilience of the current exchange rate levels.
Observers are closely watching for further policy updates from the financial regulators, which could influence the direction of the currency as the business year gains full momentum.
As of January 6, 2026, nineteen Nigerian banks have met the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s recapitalization requirements, ahead of the March 31 deadline.
This was disclosed in data released by The Cable Index on Tuesday.
The banks with international licenses that have complied include Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, GTBank (GTCO), UBA, and Zenith Bank.
For banks with national and regional licenses, Citibank Nigeria, Ecobank Nigeria, Globus Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank, Wema Bank, PremiumTrust Bank, and Providus Bank have all met the CBN’s recapitalization benchmarks.
Additionally, two non-interest banks, Jaiz and Lotus and three merchant banks, including FSDH, Greenwich, and Nova, have achieved the required capital thresholds.
Despite this progress, approximately 14 banks have yet to meet the recapitalisation requirement.
CBN had announced fresh capital requirements in March 2024: N500 billion for international banks, N200 billion for national banks, N50 billion for merchant banks, and between N10 billion and N20 billion for non-interest banks.
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