Naira Exchange Rate Today: Official and Black Market Rates for Friday, August 21, 2026

Naira exchange rate today August 21,           SOJWORLDNEWS.

Naira exchange rate today August 21 — The Naira continues to hold firm against the US Dollar this week. As trading opens on Friday, August 21, 2026, the local currency remains near a five-month high in the official market. Meanwhile, the parallel market, popularly known as the black market, still trades at a noticeable premium above official rates.

At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Dollar closed at approximately ₦1,344.45 on Thursday. Consequently, the gap between the official and black market rates has widened slightly in recent days. According to market reports, the Naira’s recent strength stems largely from improved dollar liquidity across the official window. As one report put it, the appreciation came, “supported by improved dollar liquidity across the foreign exchange market.”

In the parallel market, however, Bureau de Change operators and street dealers continue to charge more. Traders in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano quoted the Dollar between ₦1,405 and ₦1,415 as of Thursday’s trading. As a result, anyone converting cash outside official banking channels should expect to pay a premium of roughly ₦60 to ₦70 above the official rate.

Beyond the Dollar, other major currencies also moved within a similar range. The Euro traded near ₦1,575 officially, while black market dealers quoted it closer to ₦1,610. Likewise, the British Pound held around ₦1,838 in the official window, though parallel market dealers pushed it as high as ₦1,900.

Notably, the Central Bank of Nigeria calculates its official rate using a volume-weighted average across licensed banks. Therefore, individual transactions may vary slightly depending on the bank, location, and purpose of the exchange. Still, the official figure remains the benchmark for imports, remittances, and government accounting.

The table below summarises today’s rates across major currencies, comparing the official CBN figures with black market quotes gathered from dealers in Lagos and Abuja.

Rates are indicative and sourced from CBN and parallel market aggregators as of Thursday, August 20, 2026. The Saudi Riyal, Swiss Franc, and Japanese Yen trade thinly on Nigeria’s street market, so their black market figures track the official CBN rate closely. Figures may fluctuate throughout the trading day, so readers should confirm live rates with their bank or a licensed Bureau de Change before transacting.

Furthermore, analysts attribute the Naira’s relative stability to improved foreign reserves and steady crude oil export earnings. Nigeria’s reserves recently climbed to a 17-year high, which has, in turn, boosted confidence in the official market. Consequently, the gap between official and parallel rates has narrowed compared to previous years, even though it has not closed entirely.

For now, the outlook remains cautiously positive. Diaspora remittances, non-oil exports, and CBN interventions continue to support the currency. Nevertheless, demand from importers and travellers still pushes many Nigerians toward the parallel market for quick access to foreign currency. As a result, both rates remain essential reference points for anyone planning international transactions this week.

Sojworldnews will continue tracking these figures daily, since exchange rates shift frequently based on liquidity, demand, and broader economic conditions. Readers are advised to treat today’s rates as a guide rather than a fixed price, given how quickly both markets can move.