Nigeria's Reserves Surge by $9.29 Billion in 2026

Nigeria's external reserves rose by $9.29 billion in the first nine months of 2026, increasing from $45.57 billion on January 2 to $54.86 billion as of September 24, marking a 20.4% gain. This increase is more than seven times the $1.32 billion rise recorded during the same period in 2025, when reserves grew from $40.88 billion to $42.20 billion.

The current reserves also exceed the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) projected year-end level of $51.04 billion, with a surplus of $3.82 billion. The accumulation of reserves has been steady throughout 2026, with a notable increase of $2.20 billion from $52.66 billion on August 24.

This growth in reserves aligns with a significant rise in foreign capital inflows, which reached $10.37 billion in the first quarter of 2026, an 83.8% increase from $5.64 billion in Q1 2025. The upward trajectory of the reserves indicates a stronger external liquidity buffer for Nigeria's economy.