The Nigerian Naira maintained a relatively stable but cautious position against the United States Dollar during early trading on Thursday, April 9, 2026, as market participants monitored foreign exchange liquidity and sustained demand for the greenback.
Official Market Shows Mild Appreciation
Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) indicated that the Naira opened the session with slight appreciation, trading at ₦1,379.50 per Dollar, up marginally from an opening low of ₦1,378.98.
Intraday activity remained moderate, with the exchange rate peaking at ₦1,380.00 before stabilising. Analysts attributed the relative stability in the official window to improved dollar supply to commercial banks and ongoing regulatory oversight.
Parallel Market Reflects Strong Demand
In the parallel market, however, the Naira faced slightly higher pressure. Bureau De Change operators in major cities such as Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt reported exchange rates ranging between ₦1,415 and ₦1,430 per Dollar.
The premium in the informal market continues to be driven by retail demand and small-scale importers who rely on alternative channels to access foreign currency.
Despite this disparity, the spread between the official and parallel market rates has remained relatively stable, offering some predictability for businesses planning financial transactions.
Outlook Remains Cautious
Market observers are closely watching trading activities as the week draws to a close, with attention focused on whether current liquidity levels can sustain the ₦1,379 support level in the official market.
While the official rate signals resilience, continued pressure in the parallel market underscores persistent demand for the Dollar across the broader economy. Analysts advise stakeholders involved in international transactions to monitor rate movements closely as the trading day progresses.
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