Nigeria’s External Reserves Rise To $51.04bn, Highest In About 17 Years

Nigeria’s gross external reserves rose to $51.04bn on June 18, 2026, the highest level reported in about 17 years, according to Central Bank of Nigeria reserve data reviewed by NaijaTrend.

The CBN’s movement in foreign reserves data listed gross reserves at $51,035,544,733.65 on June 18. Daily Report and PM News also reported the same figure, describing it as the strongest reserve position since January 2009.

The new figure is a further rise from the recent reserve build-up NaijaTrend reported here, when reserves crossed $50bn earlier in the month.

PM News reported that reserves stood at $49.80bn at the beginning of June, crossed $50.12bn on June 5 and reached $50.81bn by June 15 before climbing to $51.04bn three days later.

Higher external reserves can give the country a stronger buffer for foreign-exchange management, but the figure does not by itself mean pressure on the naira or the wider economy has disappeared. It is best read as an improvement in the CBN’s reserve position, not a complete solution to Nigeria’s FX challenges.

Sources: Central Bank of Nigeria, Daily Report, PM News