Diaspora remittances via official channels drop to $5.30bn in Q1 2026
By Aboki Forex —
Nigeria’s diaspora remittance inflows fell to $5.30 billion in the first quarter of 2026, down from $5.72 billion in the last quarter of 2025. This is according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s first-quarter 2026 balance of payments report.
The decline represents a drop of about 7.3 percent quarter-on-quarter. Stakeholders blame foreign exchange leakages for the fall. They say these leakages continue to undermine formal channels and distort prices in the market.
The CBN report noted that FX leakages limit the extent of diaspora contributions to dollar liquidity. It added that many transfers to the economy happen outside direct intervention. The implication is that stronger remittances are often limited in scope.
Remittances are one of Nigeria’s biggest foreign exchange earnings sources. They support household spending, business transactions, and the country’s external position. The CBN warned that declining remittances, coupled with rising outflows under service accounts, could limit gains in the external sector.
Direct investment, or net capital inflows, was also subdued during the period. This was due to concerns about the economic investment environment. Borrowing, or net financial inflows, increased instead.
Despite the setback in diaspora transfers, Nigeria’s external position strengthened significantly. The current account surplus surged 255.7 percent quarter-on-quarter to $4.98 billion, up from $1.40 billion in Q4 2025. The growth was driven by stronger hydrocarbon exports and a sharp decline in petroleum imports.
CBN data also showed that external reserves rose to $48.35 billion during the period, even with the drop in remittances.