Aboki Naira to Dollar Black Market Exchange Rate Today, 21st January 2026

The Nigerian Naira has shown relative stability in the parallel (black) market against the US Dollar today, with rates hovering around levels seen in recent sessions amid ongoing economic pressures and foreign exchange dynamics.

According to updates from Aboki Forex and various parallel market trackers, the black market exchange rate for 1 US Dollar (USD) stands at approximately ₦1,480 to buy and ₦1,490 to sell as of this morning. This reflects a tight spread in major hubs like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, where dealers report consistent quoting in this range.

• Buying Rate (what dealers pay for Dollars): ₦1,480 per USD
• Selling Rate (what you pay to get Dollars): ₦1,490 per USD

Some user-reported deals on platforms like NgnRates.com show slight variations, with buy rates as low as ₦1,480 and sell rates as high as ₦1,490 today. This marks a stable performance compared to earlier in the week, where rates briefly touched higher levels around ₦1,498–₦1,500 in certain locations.

For context, the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rate remains significantly lower, closing around ₦1,419–₦1,420 per USD in recent sessions (based on NFEM data), maintaining a premium of roughly ₦60–₦70 in the parallel market. The gap between official and black market rates has narrowed from the wider disparities seen in previous periods, but it continues to highlight persistent demand for foreign currency in the informal sector.

Analysts attribute today’s steadiness to balanced supply and demand in the parallel market, alongside the CBN’s ongoing interventions and positive macroeconomic projections for 2026. However, traders caution that rates can fluctuate rapidly due to dollar availability, import demand, and external factors.

Importers, travelers, and individuals seeking quick forex transactions are advised to verify rates directly with trusted bureau de change (BDC) operators, as black-market rates can vary by location and dealer.

This update is based on aggregated data from Aboki Forex, NgnRates, and other reliable parallel market sources as of mid-morning on January 21, 2026. Rates are indicative and subject to change in real time.