The naira appreciated marginally against the US dollar at the official foreign exchange window on Thursday, closing at N1,534.52 to the dollar.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria show the currency strengthened from Wednesday’s rate of N1,534.83, marking a modest gain of 0.3 kobo.

In the parallel market, the exchange rate held steady at N1,565 per dollar, unchanged from the previous day.

The stability follows a brief rally on Wednesday when the naira gained in both official and parallel market segments.

Meanwhile, the CBN has renewed its call for Nigerians to handle the currency with care. In a statement, the bank’s spokesperson, Hakama Sidi Ali, cautioned against spraying, hawking, mutilating, or counterfeiting the naira, warning that such acts are punishable under existing laws.