Naira Holds Firm as Week Ends; Calm Trading at Foreign Exchange Markets
The Nigerian naira showed resilience on Friday morning, February 13, 2026, against the U.S. dollar, opening at ₦1,356.33 at the official market.
Early trading signalled a calm end to the week, with no sharp swings recorded. By mid-morning, the currency had strengthened slightly to ₦1,355.58 to the dollar, reinforcing confidence that the naira is comfortably consolidating within the ₦1,350–₦1,360 range.
Calm Trading at Official Window
Activity at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) reflected a balanced demand and supply dynamic. Dealers described the session as orderly, with limited speculative pressure.
Analysts attributed the relative stability to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing liquidity measures. They also noted that the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS) continues to enhance transaction efficiency and transparency. Experts further highlighted the apex bank’s renewed collaboration with Bureau De Change operators, which has broadened retail access to foreign currency and alleviated pressure on the official trading window.
Parallel Market Mirrors Stability
The informal market echoed the steady tone seen at the official window. In commercial centres such as Lagos and Abuja, the U.S. dollar exchanged between ₦1,425 and ₦1,440.
Traders observed that the typical weekend rush for dollars was largely absent, with increased access to foreign currency through approved BDC channels helping to curb panic-driven purchases. As a result, the spread between official and parallel rates remained manageable, offering greater certainty for small businesses and individual buyers.
Friday’s Exchange Snapshot
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Official opening rate: ₦1,356.33 per dollar
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Mid-morning official rate: ₦1,355.58 per dollar
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Parallel market range: ₦1,425 – ₦1,440 per dollar
As trading heads toward the closing bell, market watchers expect the naira to sustain its current footing. Attention now turns to end-of-day figures, which will help shape sentiment for the new trading week.
