The British Pound Sterling has shown resilience against the Nigerian Naira as the final week of 2025 commences.

Current data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and informal trading channels indicate that the Pound continues to hold a strong position, driven by sustained demand for international services and year-end financial settlements.

Official Market Rates

In the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the British Pound opened trading today at approximately 1,957.02 per GBP. Throughout the early morning sessions, the rate has seen marginal movement, oscillating between a high of 1,960.26 and a low of 1,956.03.

This stability reflects the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to maintain liquidity within the official window and reduce the volatility that characterised the currency’s performance in previous months.

Parallel Market Overview

On the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, the British Pound is trading at a premium compared to the official rate. Currently, Bureau De Change operators and informal traders in major hubs like Lagos (Broad Street) and Abuja (Wuse Zone 4) are quoting the Pound between 1,980 and 2,010 per GBP.

The slight elevation in the parallel market is largely attributed to retail demand for personal travel allowances and small-scale trade payments that bypass official banking channels.

Market Drivers and Sentiment

Several factors are influencing the GBP to NGN exchange rate as the year winds down:

Holiday Travel Demand: The influx of travellers returning to the UK or Nigerians travelling abroad for the holidays has kept retail demand for the Pound relatively high.

Global Currency Trends: The Pound’s performance on the global stage, influenced by UK economic data, continues to reflect in its local valuation against the Naira.

Liquidity Levels: While the CBN has improved forex supply, the total volume available in the official window still faces pressure from high-value corporate requirements.

Market analysts suggest that the rate is likely to consolidate around these levels as the business year concludes, with few major policy shifts expected before the start of 2026.