The Nigerian naira continued its recent slide against the US dollar, hitting N1,405 per dollar in the parallel (black) market amid ongoing demand pressures and supply constraints in the foreign exchange market.

According to traders and market sources, the local currency weakened from around N1,400–N1,410 levels in recent sessions, reflecting persistent challenges in the forex ecosystem. In contrast, the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate, managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stood firmer at approximately N1,368–N1,370 per dollar.

This development widens the gap between the official and parallel markets, raising concerns among analysts about liquidity, speculative activities, and the impact on importers and businesses reliant on dollar transactions.

The depreciation comes as Nigeria grapples with balancing foreign exchange inflows, including remittances and oil revenues, against high demand for imports, debt servicing, and other obligations. Market watchers attribute the pressure partly to seasonal factors and limited dollar availability at official windows, pushing more transactions toward the parallel market.

The CBN has been intervening through various measures to stabilize the naira, including boosting liquidity and tightening monetary policy. However, the parallel market remains sensitive to real-time supply and demand dynamics.

Economists warn that sustained volatility could fuel inflation and affect consumer prices, particularly for imported goods. Stakeholders are calling for stronger policy coordination to narrow the official-parallel rate disparity and restore greater confidence in the forex regime.

Further updates will depend on upcoming CBN interventions and inflows in the days ahead.

The Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment (BACITI) at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, has graduated 40 senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, in Advanced Senior Executive Course.

The Comptroller-General of Customs,Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said that the capacity building was aimed at raising the next generation of customs officers (2026-2035).

Represented by Gabo Aliu, Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, NCS, Adeniyi described global customs operations as dynamic and evolving, stressing that the Service must be futuristic and responsive to emerging trade realities.

He added that incoming framework would be all-inclusive with the graduates’ deliverables forming the basis of the strategic policy direction for the next generation of customs officers.

Aliu said the CGC’s administration was forward-thinking, responsive and resilient with a clear objective to position the NCS at the front vanguard of trade, policy formulation and integration.

He said: “For the pioneering set, the CGC has emphasised on a definite mentor-mentee programme, so they are going out as ambassadors of the NCS and NIIA, so we are looking that they are going to be impacting whatever they’ve learned here onto the future generation of custom officers, so it will be a win-win for the Nigerian Customs Service and the industry in general.

Dr. Adesuwa Erediauwa, Head\Director of Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment (BACITI) at the NIIA, the organisers of the training, charged graduating senior customs officers to become “interpreters of change” and architects of institutional resilience as the Nigeria Customs Service prepares for 2035 and beyond.

She noted that customs administrations globally now face shifting trade routes, AI-driven border management, geopolitical tensions, climate change and supply chain disruptions.

“In this kind of world, yesterday’s methods are no longer sufficient for even today’s challenges, not to talk of tomorrow’s challenges,” he stated.

She stressed that future customs officer “must not just be an administrator or a gatekeeper” but must become “an analyst of uncertainty, a strategist, and an innovator.”

• Emmanuel Nnorom, incoming board chairman , and the outgoing Chairman, United Bank for Africa Plc, Tony Elumelu…Photo Credit: Tony Elumelu

United Bank for Africa Plc has announced that Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, Group Chairman of UBA, will retire from the Board of Directors of UBA on 21 August 2026.

Alero Ladipo Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications United Bank for Africa Plc, said that Elumelu was retiring

At its meeting held on 6 July 2026, the Board accepted Mr. Elumelu’s retirement and elected Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom, a Non-Executive Director of the Bank, as his successor, with effect from 21 August 2026.

The Board places on record its profound appreciation to Mr. Elumelu for his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the strategic vision and institutional strength of the UBA Group.

Mr. Elumelu’s tenure has been a defining chapter in the Group’s history. Under his stewardship, UBA was transformed into a pan African institution, operating in 20 African countries and 4 global financial centres and serving over 50 million customers.

Mr. Nnorom is a chartered accountant with over forty years’ experience in banking, finance and audit. He brings to the role extensive leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge of UBA.

Commenting on his retirement, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu:

“Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career. UBA has established a unique competitive position, across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future. Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive under his leadership.”

Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom, on his appointment, said:

“I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, Management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders.”

United Bank for Africa Plc is Africa’s Global Bank. Operating across twenty African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

UBA is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 50 million customers globally.