As Nigeria draws the curtain on 2025, the naira is closing the year with a mild but encouraging appreciation across both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets. This comes as a relief after months of sharp swings and uncertainty earlier in the year.
Official market outlook
At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the naira opened trading at about ₦1,450.30 to the dollar, improving from the previous day’s closing rate of ₦1,457.42. During the early hours of trading, the exchange rate moved within a narrow range, touching a high of ₦1,457.42 and a low of ₦1,447.30.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has continued to allow market-driven pricing at the NFEM, with the naira settling around ₦1,450.30 at the close of trading. Analysts say the relative calm is partly due to improved liquidity and reduced demand from businesses as many firms wind down activities for the holidays.
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Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 24, 2025
Parallel market activity
The parallel market also recorded modest gains, with the gap between it and the official market narrowing further. In key trading areas such as Ikeja and Broad Street in Lagos, as well as Wuse Zone 4 in Abuja, the dollar exchanged between ₦1,460 and ₦1,475.
Although rates in the parallel market remain slightly higher than official figures, they are far below the levels seen during the most volatile periods of 2025. Traders note that while there is still some demand linked to travel and personal needs, speculative pressure has eased significantly.
Looking ahead, economic watchers say the gradual convergence of rates remains a major goal for the government. If oil output is sustained and foreign capital inflows continue, the naira may carry this relative stability into the first quarter of 2026.
