The Naira appreciated slightly against the US dollar at the official market, trading at ₦1,532.93 per dollar on March 18, up from ₦1,528.03 the previous day, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Despite this, the black market rate remains significantly higher, with the dollar exchanging for as much as ₦1,575.
The CBN had previously announced the unification of all forex market segments into the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window to promote transparency. Under this system, forex transactions, including school fees, medical payments, and travel allowances, are processed through commercial banks, while the exchange rate is determined by market forces.
This move effectively allows the naira to float freely, meaning the value is now set by demand and supply rather than direct government intervention. However, the gap between official and black market rates continues to raise concerns about forex availability and market stability.