The naira has continued to experience downward pressure for seven straight trading days, with currency dealers attributing the trend to increased festive-season import demand.
Market participants explained that many businesses began settling their foreign exchange commitments ahead of the year-end rush, creating a consistent strain on available liquidity.
Fresh figures released by the Central Bank of Nigeria show that the naira slipped slightly by about N5 or 0.4 percent after the dollar closed at N1,454.38 on Tuesday, compared with N1,448.43 recorded on December 1, 2025. On a day-to-day basis, the currency eased by N2.52, closing at N1,454.38 on Tuesday against N1,451.86 on Monday.
The News Chronicle understands that the pressure was also visible in the parallel market, where the naira weakened to N1,483 from the previous day’s N1,480.
Traders said the movement across both markets reflects a liquidity environment that remains extremely tight, especially with Nigeria attracting only $2 billion in FX inflows in November.
This figure represents the country’s lowest inflow level in sixteen months, despite more interventions from the apex bank.
Available data from FMDQ showed that total FX inflows plunged by 67 percent month-on-month in November to $2.0 billion from $6.1 billion in October.
Analysts at FBNQuest described this as the weakest inflow performance since July 2024 and noted that persistent demand pressure created volatility throughout November, contributing to the naira’s 1.3 percent decline that month to N1,446.90 per dollar.
Meanwhile, the CBN has released updated guidelines on access to Business Travel Allowance and Personal Travel Allowance.
Applicants may now get up to a quarter of their approved amount in cash, while the remaining portion will be issued through a prepaid card after all documentation is verified.
The bank also reaffirmed that Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment may obtain foreign currency up to $5,000 from a Bureau De Change, while larger medical payments should be processed through commercial or non-interest banks.
For international students, the CBN maintained that up to $10,000 can be accessed yearly through BDCs for school fee payments once the required documents are provided.
This sustained tightness in foreign exchange supply continues to shape sentiment around the naira as the year draws to a close.
