The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday, injected $197.71 million into the foreign exchange (FX) market in a bid to restore calm as the naira crashed to N1,600 per dollar—its weakest official exchange rate since December—under growing pressure from global economic shocks, including a 14% import tariff recently imposed on Nigeria by the United States.
The intervention, confirmed in a statement released Saturday by Dr. Omolara Omotunde Duke, Director of the Financial Markets Department, marks one of the most direct responses by the apex bank to the turmoil triggered by the U.S. government’s sudden hike in tariffs on a wide range of imports, including goods originating from Nigeria.
“In line with its commitment to ensuring adequate liquidity and supporting orderly market functioning, the CBN facilitated market activity…with the provision of $197.71 million through sales to Authorized Dealers,” the statement read.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 17 (June 9 – Sept 6, 2025) today for early bird discounts. Do annual for access to Blucera.com.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register to become a better CEO or Director with Tekedia CEO & Director Program.
The Bank said the move aligns with its broader objective of fostering a stable, transparent, and efficient foreign exchange market and reiterated its resolve to maintain market integrity amid rising volatility.
Trump’s Tariff Hitting Nigeria?
But beyond the routine policy language lies a deeper concern: the naira’s sharp depreciation is being increasingly tied to Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs on several countries—including Nigeria—as part of a broader trade overhaul that is beginning to reverberate across global markets.
According to economists, the U.S. president’s announcement of a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on most imports, and a separate 14% tariff on certain products from Nigeria, has directly contributed to the decline of the naira. The impact has been swift. Nigeria, which depends heavily on oil exports and dollar remittances, now finds itself squeezed between falling crude prices and rising trade barriers.
Analysts say Nigeria is particularly vulnerable to external shocks due to its over-reliance on imports and its narrow export base. With U.S. tariffs raising costs for Nigerian goods abroad—and reducing Nigeria’s competitiveness—dollar inflows are expected to decline further. That, in turn, has made it harder for the CBN to defend the naira without depleting its already strained reserves.
Naira Drops to N1,600/$1—Worst Since December
Data from the CBN shows that the naira ended Friday at N1,600 per dollar, down 1.9% from N1,569 recorded the previous day. It marks the weakest official exchange rate since December 4, 2024, when the currency closed at N1,608.
Intra-day trades suggest even wider instability. The naira briefly touched a high of N1,625 before retreating, while some trades settled as low as N1,519—highlighting a broad range of uncertainty in dealer pricing. The Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) average rate, which smoothens out day-to-day spikes, closed at N1,567—the softest level so far in 2025.
In just the first four trading days of April, the naira has already lost 3.9% of its value, after closing March at N1,537.
The market’s volatility has renewed questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s FX reform strategy, which had aimed to allow the naira to float more freely in line with market demand and supply dynamics. Economists believe that without buffers, such a system leaves the currency dangerously exposed to external headwinds.
Economists Call for Urgent Action
The dramatic weakening of the naira has prompted fresh warnings from economists who say Nigeria must urgently revise its economic playbook in light of the new global realities. Several experts have urged the government to immediately set up a high-level response team focused on mitigating the effects of Trump’s trade policies on Nigeria’s already fragile economy.
There is growing support for a mix of policy responses. Economists have urged the federal government to fast-track export diversification, especially in non-oil sectors like agro-processing, solid minerals, and services. They are also advocating for Nigeria to begin exploring bilateral trade talks with the U.S. to negotiate relief or possible exemptions from the newly introduced tariffs.
In addition, some have suggested rebuilding foreign exchange buffers through diaspora bonds and concessional loans to strengthen Nigeria’s short-term liquidity. There are also calls for a reassessment of the 2025 budget assumptions, particularly around oil benchmarks and projected dollar inflows, which may no longer be realistic given recent developments.
Another line of thought is for the CBN to offer more structured FX support to key import-dependent sectors of the economy to avoid further supply chain disruptions that could fuel inflation. In parallel, there is also mounting pressure for the CBN to step up transparency around its FX intervention strategy, with clear and predictable signals to prevent panic in the financial markets.
While the CBN has not committed to a daily defense of the naira, the tone of its latest statement suggests it is prepared to act again should market conditions worsen. Dr. Duke noted that the Bank would continue to closely monitor both global and domestic financial conditions and stands ready to intervene further as necessary to maintain market order.
The CBN also called on all authorized dealers to uphold the Nigeria FX Market Code, urging strict compliance and high ethical standards in all transactions with clients and counterparties.