The Naira appreciated slightly against the U.S. Dollar at the official exchange market, trading at ₦1,536.89 per dollar on Friday, March 21, 2025, up from ₦1,530.62 on Thursday. Despite this gain, the black market rate remains much higher, with the dollar selling for as much as ₦1,578 per dollar.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had earlier unified all forex markets, directing all transactions through the Investors & Exporters (I&E) window. This move aimed to stabilize the exchange rate, but demand pressures continue to push black market rates higher.
Nigeria now operates a floating exchange rate, meaning the value of the Naira is determined by market forces. While the CBN monitors the market, the impact of these changes remains a key concern for businesses and individuals relying on forex for transactions.