Nigeria’s gross external reserves reached $51.04 billion on June 18, 2026, gaining $13.3 billion or 35.2 percent over the preceding twelve months as the country’s external position continued to strengthen on the back of improved foreign exchange market management, higher oil revenues, and sustained foreign portfolio investment inflows.
CBN data showed the reserves had stood at $37.74 billion on June 18, 2025, and had climbed through a series of monthly advances to reach a level described as the highest in 17 years. The most recent surge added approximately $2.72 billion over six weeks from the $48.32 billion recorded on May 6, 2026.
The trajectory over the review period showed the first major acceleration beginning in July 2025 when reserves crossed $39 billion for the first time, followed by sustained monthly gains through August at $41 billion, September at $42 billion, and October at $43 billion. November and December 2025 saw reserves move into the $44 to $45 billion range before January 2026 pushed the figure toward $46 billion. February 2026 produced the single largest monthly gain of the period, with reserves surging more than $3 billion in one month to approach $50 billion. After a mild April correction, June 2026 saw reserves cross $50 billion for the first time before reaching the $51 billion mark by mid-month.
