The exchange rates for the US Dollar (USD) to the Nigerian Naira (NGN) as of the morning of Thursday, March 19, 2026, show a slight weakening of the Naira in the official market compared to the previous day’s close.
Parallel Market (Black Market) Rates
In the unofficial market, the Naira is trading at a premium as demand for the greenback remains high across major hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.
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Buying Rate: ₦1,420
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Selling Rate: ₦1,435
Official Market (NAFEM) Rates
Data from the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) as of 7:30 AM shows the following movements:
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Opening Rate: ₦1,356.00
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Current Trading Rate: ₦1,363.68
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Daily High: ₦1,365.00
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Daily Low: ₦1,355.00
Market Summary
The Naira has seen a slight depreciation of approximately 0.57% since the start of today’s trading session. This follows a period of relative stability where the rate hovered around the ₦1,350–₦1,360 mark earlier in the week. The “spread” or gap between the official and black market rates currently sits at roughly ₦71, indicating a persistent demand for foreign currency in the parallel market.
