Naira Stable at ₦1,356.74 with $50B Reserves, CBN Steady

The Naira opened the official foreign exchange market on Monday at approximately ₦1,356.74 per US dollar, signaling a stabilization after a period of moderate volatility in mid-March. Trading data indicates the currency fluctuated within a band of ₦1,344 to ₦1,370, with intraday highs reaching ₦1,362.00 in recent sessions, while closing averages have consistently hovered near the ₦1,355 mark.

This relative steadiness occurs against a backdrop of improving fundamental economic indicators. Nigeria’s external reserves have provided substantial support, recently stabilizing around the $50 billion threshold. This buildup is largely attributed to sustained oil production averaging 1.46 million barrels per day combined with favorable global crude prices, bolstering the country’s foreign currency earnings.

Concurrently, monetary policy remains a defining influence. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has maintained a restrictive stance, with the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) recently signaling caution by keeping interest rates high to combat persistent inflation, which had modestly declined to 15.10% earlier in the year. Furthermore, the banking sector has demonstrated resilience, with the CBN confirming that all 30 major lenders met new, higher capital adequacy requirements ahead of the March 31 deadline, a move aimed at strengthening the financial system.

The convergence of a supported reserve position and a disciplined monetary framework has contributed to curbing excessive depreciation pressures on the Naira in the official market. Market participants are now closely monitoring how these policy measures and external factors, including global commodity prices and capital flow dynamics, will influence the exchange rate trajectory in the coming quarter. The currency’s performance remains a critical indicator for inflation management and overall economic stability.