After recent gains, the Naira recorded its first loss against the US Dollar in 2026 on Thursday, January 8, in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM).
Yesterday, at the official market, the Nigerian currency tumbled against the greenback by N1.46 or 0.11 per cent to sell for N1,419.72/$1, in contrast to Wednesday’s closing price of N1,418.26/$1.
However, the local currency further appreciated against the Pound Sterling in the same market segment by N5.28 to close at N1,908.38/£1 versus the preceding session’s N1,913.66/£1, but lost 14 Kobo against the Euro to finish at N1,657.66/€1 compared with the midweek session’s closing price of N1,657.52/€1.
In the same vein, the Naira weakened against its American counterpart in the parallel market by N15 during the session to quote at N1,485/$1 compared with the previous day’s N1,470/$1 and declined by N3 at the GTBank forex desk to trade at N1,428/$1 versus the previous value of N1,425/$1.
The domestic currency has remained relatively stable in the spot market in tandem with projections by analysts, including PwC, which expects the Naira to remain broadly stable through 2026, underpinned by ongoing reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and improved portfolio inflows
However, policymakers have been told to wary of weak oil prices or production disruptions reducing FX inflows, deepening FX liquidity crisis, and forced currency devaluation, which could return prices to weaker levels.
According to CardinalStone, pre-election worries, an unanticipated slump in exports, especially non-oil, and the ongoing global trend of tightening border controls may reduce Nigerian exports, and have a ripple effect on the Naira’s strength.
As for the cryptocurrency market, it was bullish as traders await the US Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The market is pricing in to see if the US Supreme Court explicitly upholds Trump’s use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. Depending on the outcome, this could potentially push long-term US yields higher and tighten global liquidity, a mix that has historically pressured crypto, which is sensitive to quick changes in both.
Solana (SOL) appreciated by 4.2 per cent to $140.49, Binance Coin (BNB) gained 1.8 per cent to sell for $895.46, Cardano (ADA) increased by 1.8 per cent to $0.3989, and Ripple (XRP) soared by 1.6 per cent to $2.14.
Further, Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) appreciated by 1.3 per cent each to $91,017.24 and $81.73 apiece, Ethereum (ETH) grew by 0.4 per cent to $3,119.22, and Dogecoin (DOGE) expanded by 0.2 per cent to $0.1429, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) finished flat at $1.00 each.