Aboki Naira to Dollar Black Market Exchange Rate Today, 21st October 2025

The Nigerian Naira showed remarkable resilience in the parallel market today, trading at a sell rate of ₦1,500 per US Dollar, according to real-time updates from Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and informal traders known as “Aboki” in key cities including Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.

This marks a stable close to the trading day, with buy rates hovering around ₦1,480, reflecting minimal fluctuation from Monday’s levels. The black market, often referred to as the Aboki FX rate, continues to serve as a critical barometer for Nigeria’s currency dynamics, where demand for hard currencies outpaces official channels.

Sources from BDC operators in Lagos confirmed the rates early Tuesday, noting that the Dollar’s pressure on the Naira has eased slightly amid ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) interventions to stabilize the forex market.

While the CBN does not endorse parallel market transactions, these rates underscore the gap between official and street-level valuations, with the Naira depreciating by over 4.66% year-to-date against the Dollar.

Key Exchange Rates Snapshot (Black Market – October 21, 2025)

In comparison, the official interbank rate managed by the CBN stood at approximately ₦1,467 per Dollar as of late Monday, highlighting the persistent premium in the black market driven by factors like import demands, remittances, and global oil price swings.

Analysts attribute today’s steadiness to recent CBN liquidity injections and a modest uptick in foreign inflows, though experts warn that sustained stability hinges on broader economic reforms.

“Nigeria’s forex market remains a tale of two realities,” said Dr. Aisha Bello, an economist at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce. “The black market’s resilience today offers short-term relief for importers and travelers, but without addressing root causes like dollar shortages, we risk further erosion of investor confidence.”

For context, the Naira has fluctuated wildly in 2025, peaking at ₦1,624 per Dollar in May before dipping to a low of ₦1,455 in early October.

This volatility has ripple effects on everyday Nigerians, inflating costs for imported goods from electronics to foodstuffs, and squeezing household budgets amid inflation rates hovering near 25%. Market watchers are eyeing upcoming CBN policy announcements and global cues, including U.S. Federal Reserve signals on interest rates, which could influence Dollar strength.

For now, the Aboki rate provides a vital, if unofficial, lifeline for currency exchanges outside formal banking hours.

This report is based on verified BDC quotes and does not constitute financial advice. Exchange rates are subject to rapid change; consult authorized dealers for transactions.