CBN Exchange Rate Today — Official Dollar to Naira Rate (Central Bank of Nigeria)
Rates updated
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sets the official exchange rate for the Nigerian Naira against all major foreign currencies including the US Dollar, British Pound, Euro, and others. This official rate — also called the CBN rate — is the rate at which commercial banks, licensed Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, and regulated financial institutions are permitted to buy and sell foreign currency in Nigeria.
What is the CBN Exchange Rate?
The CBN exchange rate is Nigeria's official foreign exchange rate, published daily by the Central Bank of Nigeria. It determines how much Naira you pay or receive for foreign currencies through official banking channels. Following Nigeria's forex unification policy, the CBN rate now reflects a unified market-based rate, narrowing the gap between the official rate and the parallel (black market) rate.
CBN Rate vs Black Market Rate: What is the Difference?
The CBN official rate is set and regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria and is available through commercial banks and licensed Bureau de Change operators. The black market rate (parallel market rate) is determined by supply and demand outside the official banking system. The black market rate is typically higher than the CBN rate because demand for foreign currency among Nigerians often exceeds what is available through official channels.
- CBN Rate: Lower, officially regulated, available through banks and licensed BDCs
- Black Market Rate: Higher, market-driven, available from parallel market dealers
- Who benefits from the CBN rate: Businesses with official import licenses, students with school fees abroad, medical travelers with bank forex allocations
Who Can Access the CBN Exchange Rate?
Access to foreign currency at the official CBN rate is typically limited to:
- Commercial bank customers with verifiable foreign currency needs (school fees, medical bills, business imports)
- Exporters converting foreign earnings to Naira
- Government agencies and approved importers of essential goods
- Licensed Bureau de Change (BDC) operators buying from the CBN
Most ordinary Nigerians who need foreign currency for personal transactions, small business imports, or remittances typically access forex through the parallel market, which is why the black market rate shown on Aboki Forex is often more relevant for daily transactions.
How Often Does the CBN Rate Change?
The CBN publishes official exchange rates every business day. The rate can change daily based on the CBN's monetary policy decisions, Nigeria's foreign reserves, oil revenue (Nigeria's primary source of foreign exchange), and global currency market movements. The CBN rate on Aboki Forex is updated daily after the Central Bank publishes its official rates.
CBN Forex Rates Currency Converter
How to convert currencies with the offical exchange rates?
To convert Forex using the official CBN rates, use the currency converter below: