Nigeria's naira pushed stronger against the dollar on Friday, capping off the week with gains at the official foreign exchange market. The Central Bank of Nigeria's records showed the naira hardened to N1,380.19 per dollar, up from N1,381.53 the previous day.
That represented a daily gain of N1.30, marking the third appreciation within the week. The improvement reflects steady momentum in the local unit's recovery against the greenback.
The picture looked different on the black market, where the naira held steady at N1,430 per dollar on Friday. The rate remained unchanged from Thursday's close as the apex bank rolled out fresh directives for licensed bureau de change operators.
Sentiment across the foreign exchange space remained mixed heading into the weekend. Nigeria's foreign reserves climbed to $51.92 billion as of July 16th, 2026, offering a cushion for the naira's performance.
The central bank's latest guidelines for BDC operators came as market players adjusted to shifting liquidity conditions. Officials have signalled their commitment to stabilising the exchange rate through targeted interventions and regulatory measures.
Analysts noted the week's three separate occasions of naira appreciation suggested sustained demand for the local currency. The gains, though modest, signal improving confidence in Nigeria's foreign exchange management under current leadership.
