The Nigerian naira held steady against the US dollar in early trading on Thursday, April 9, 2026, showing cautious stability as the week winds down. Across both the official and parallel markets, the exchange rate continues to reflect the delicate balance between dollar supply and persistent demand.
At the official market, data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market showed a slight gain for the naira. It traded around ₦1,379.50 to the dollar, improving marginally from an opening of ₦1,378.98. During the session, the rate briefly touched ₦1,380.00 before settling. Analysts say this stability is largely due to improved dollar supply to banks and ongoing regulatory oversight.
Trading activity remained moderate, suggesting that the market is consolidating rather than making any sharp moves. There are also signs that recent policy measures and foreign inflows are helping to keep the official window relatively stable.
In the parallel market, however, the naira faced a bit more pressure. Bureau de Change operators in cities like Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt quoted rates between ₦1,415 and ₦1,430 per dollar. This gap is mainly driven by retail demand and small businesses that rely on the informal market for quick access to foreign exchange.
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Even with this difference, the spread between the official and black market rates has stayed fairly consistent, giving businesses some level of predictability for planning.
Looking ahead, attention is on how the naira closes the trading day, as that could shape expectations going into the weekend. The key question is whether the official market can maintain support around the ₦1,379 level.
Overall, the current rates point to a market in transition. While the official side shows some resilience, demand pressures in the parallel market remain strong. For individuals and businesses dealing with foreign transactions, keeping an eye on real-time movements is still essential.
