Nigeria’s currency lost ground against the US dollar on Wednesday, even as the country’s external reserves posted fresh gains, highlighting mixed signals in the foreign exchange market.
Figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the naira closed at ₦1,494.01 per dollar at the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), weakening by ₦9.88 or 0.7% from Tuesday’s rate of ₦1,484.13. In the parallel market, the currency held steady at about ₦1,525/$, while Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) kept its rate for international transactions at ₦1,515/$.
Despite the slide, Nigeria’s external buffers strengthened. CBN data revealed that reserves climbed to $41.89 billion as of September 16, 2025, up 2.27% from $40.96 billion recorded a month earlier.
At the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, member Aloysius Uche Ordu noted that the naira had previously shown resilience, helped by stronger liquidity from remittances and portfolio inflows.
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However, he warned that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains worryingly low, with Nigeria attracting only $1 billion in 2024, far behind peers such as Egypt ($46bn) and Brazil ($59bn). Ordu urged a “whole-of-government” effort—spanning trade, finance, industry, and security agencies—to create conditions for long-term capital and job creation.
CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro added that reforms, improved FX turnover, and growing investor confidence have supported exchange rate stability, suggesting cautious optimism for the market’s outlook.
