Aboki Naira to Dollar Black Market Exchange Rate Today, 18th May 2026

The Nigerian naira continued to face mild downward pressure in the black market today, with currency dealers quoting the US dollar at higher levels amid steady demand from businesses and individuals seeking foreign exchange for imports and travel.

According to widely followed Aboki Forex indicators and parallel market sources, one US dollar was trading at approximately ₦1,393 for buying and ₦1,400 for selling in major trading hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. This reflects a narrow spread typical of current conditions, with the naira showing only marginal shifts from recent sessions.

Market participants noted that the slight depreciation aligns with ongoing supply constraints in the informal segment, even as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate hovers around ₦1,371. The gap between official and parallel rates remains relatively contained compared to previous years, but traders say inflows from diaspora remittances and oil revenues have not fully eased the demand for dollars in street transactions.

Economists monitoring the forex space attribute the resilience of the parallel market premium to seasonal factors, including heightened activity ahead of mid-year obligations and limited access to official windows for some small and medium enterprises. “While unification efforts have narrowed the divide, the black market still serves as a quick barometer for real-time sentiment,” one Lagos-based dealer observed.

For context, the pound sterling was exchanging around ₦1,865 buy and higher sell rates, while the euro traded in the ₦1,630 range on the parallel market. Nigerians planning international transfers or purchases are advised to monitor rates closely, as volatility can spike with news on global oil prices or policy announcements from the apex bank.

Overall, the naira’s performance today underscores the delicate balance in Nigeria’s foreign exchange ecosystem, where parallel rates continue to influence everyday economic decisions despite regulatory pushes for greater stability.