Forex Trading Sessions in Nigeria Time | Best Time to Trade Forex

The forex market, a global hub for currency trading, welcomes participants from Nigeria starting at 5:00 PM each Sunday and end its operations at 10:00 PM on Friday, Nigerian time. This schedule, unquestionably, affords Nigerian traders the unique opportunity to access to all four major global trading sessions - the Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York sessions - throughout the week. This continuous access ensures that traders can respond to international market movements and economic events in real-time, allowing for strategic trading decisions that can capitalize on the volatility and liquidity inherent in forex markets. For Nigerian traders, this means the ability to execute trades almost any time of the day, aligning with global market hours and optimizing trading strategies for better outcomes in the fast-paced forex environment.

Forex Trading Sessions by Local Nigerian Time

Forex traders, In Nigeria, navigate through the global market's rhythm by aligning with the four major trading sessions, each defined by key financial centers around the world. The Asian session, marking the start of the trading day, runs from 01:00 am to 10:00 am, Nigerian time. This is followed by the European session, from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm. The North American session then takes over from 03:00 pm until midnight, overlapping with the European session and offering heightened market liquidity. Lastly, the Pacific Session, from 5:00 am to 2:00 pm, overlaps with the Asian session, closing the loop.

Forex Trading Sessions by local Nigerian time:

• Asian session - 01:00 AM to 10:00 AM

• European session - 09:00 AM to 06:00 AM

• North American session - 03:00 AM to 12:00 AM

• Pacific Session - 5:00 AM to 02:00 AM

The following table can give you a clear view:

Some Key Points about Nigeria Opening and Closing Times:

• Trading in the forex market begins at 5:00 PM in Nigeria on Sundays.

• It operates non-stop until 10:00 PM on Fridays, Nigerian time.

• The market then takes a break for the weekend, resuming at 5:00 PM on Sunday.

Within these market hours, the 4 global sessions operate at the following Nigeria times:

• Sydney: 12:50 AM - 7:00 AM

• Tokyo: 2:00 AM - 10:00 AM

• London: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

• New York: 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM

The Most Active Period in Nigeria for the Forex Market

In Nigeria, the Forex market experiences its peak activity between 03:00 pm and 06:00 pm local time, when the European and North American sessions overlap. This period is characterized by increased liquidity and market movement, as significant trading volumes from Europe and North America converge. For Nigerian traders, these hours represent a prime opportunity to engage in trading, offering the potential for profit owing to the heightened fluctuations and trading volumes within the Forex market.

Best Time to Trade Forex in Nigeria

For traders in Nigeria, identifying the best forex trading times largely hinges on their own trading style and the specific currency pairs they choose to focus on. Fortunately, the time zone in Nigeria and the broader West Africa Time (WAT) align favorably with the trading hours of the European markets. This alignment, coupled with the convenient overlap of the North American trading session, provides an excellent opportunity for those trading in USD and EUR pairs.

Trading approaches generally divide into two main categories: day trading and swing trading. The period from 10 am to 5 pm is particularly well-suited for both types of trading activities in Nigeria. Among the various currency pairs available, “EUR/USD” emerges as a preferred choice, especially for those new to the Forex market, due to its narrow trading ranges during the overlap of the London and New York sessions. Similarly, “EUR/JPY” is another popular choice, known for its liquidity that can lead to advantageous trading conditions during these peak trading hours.

Alternatively, for Nigerian traders exploring the Forex market, the Asian sessions tend to be a good time. Here are some tips for traders in Nigeria find the optimal opportunities during these periods:

• Sydney Session (12:50 AM - 3:00 AM): This time frame is notable for significant movements in AUD and NZD pairs, with volatility peaking during the Sydney and Tokyo overlap.

•Tokyo Session (3:00 AM - 6:00 AM): Offers high liquidity for JPY pairs, especially before the London session begins. However, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, expect a decrease in volatility.

• London & New York Overlap (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM): This period is marked by high volatility, making it ideal for trading European or USD pairs, as the markets in London and New York are both open.

• Late New York Session (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): The closing hours of the New York market are particularly active for USD and CAD pairs.

Some Reliable Forex Brokers Optimized for Nigerian Trading Hours

Here let's explore some excellent forex brokers for Nigerian traders: offering specialized services tailored to Nigeria's trading hours, these brokers stand out with their robust trading tools, resources, and support designed for the forex market's demands. We have Exness, AvaTrade, and TickMill on the list.

Exness

Broker	Exness
Regulated by	FCA, CYSEC, FSCA, DFSA
Min. Deposit	$10
Tradable Instruments	Cryptocurrencies,Forex, Commodities, Stocks, Indices and more
Trading Platforms	Exness Trade app, Exness Terminal, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4,MetaTrader WebTerminal, MetaTrader mobile
Trading Costs	Raw Spread: Spreads from 0.0 pips, with commissions at $3.5 per lotPro: Spreads from 0.1 pips, no commissions charged
Max. Leverage	Unlimited
Demo accounts	✅
Copy Trading	✅
Bonus	❌
Payment Methods	E-payment systems, bank cards, Bitcoin wallets, mobile banking methods, and even payments using bank cashiers
Customer Support	7/24

Exness is a well-established forex broker that was founded in 2008, with its main operational base in Limassol, Cyprus, providing a broad spectrum of tradable instruments, including forex pairs, metals, indices, cryptocurrencies, energies, and stocks. To suit varying trader requirements, Exness offers numerous trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, Exness Trade App, readily accessible across desktop, web, and mobile devices. Standout features of Exness include superior customer support available 24/7 through multiple channels including live chat, email, and multilingual call services. Exness, regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, enjoys considerable popularity among traders in Nigeria. This solid reputation comes from its adherence to strict regulatory standards, offering Nigerian traders a secure and reliable platform for forex trading.

✅Where Exness Shines

• Globally and heavily regulated, especially receiving great popularity in South Africa and Nigeria.

• Offering access to popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, across different devices.

• User reviews often praise Exness for its fast withdrawal processes, making it easier for traders to access their profits.

• Their round-the-clock customer service is highly responsive and available in over 20 localized languages.

• Experienced traders appreciate the low spreads offered by Exness.

• Unlimited leverage ratio giving scalping traders and high-frequency traders, giving them great encouragement in trading.

❌Where Exness Shorts

• Due to regulatory constraints, Exness's services are unavailable in certain countries, such as the U.S. and Japan.

• Though Exness does offer stock trading, the selection is quite limited as compared to some other industry players focused more on equity trading.

AvaTrade

Broker	AvaTrade
Regulated by	ASIC, FSA, FFAJ, CBI, FSCA
Min. Deposit	$100
Tradable Instruments	currency pairs, major stock indices, Cryptocurrencies, commodities (such as gold, silver, sugar, coffee), bonds, individual shares and ETFs
Trading Platforms	AvaSocial, Web trader， AvaTradeGO, MetaTrader 4，MetaTrader 5
Trading Costs	Spreads from 0.9 pips
Max. Leverage	30:1
Demo accounts	✅
Copy Trading	✅
Bonus	❌
Payment Methods	credit/debit cards and wire transfers, Skrill, Neteller, and WebMoney, and more
Customer Support	24/5

AvaTrade, established in 2006, is a globally recognized online brokerage based in Dublin, Ireland. The broker provides trading in a diverse range of instruments including over 50 currency pairs, numerous CFDs on indices, stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. It supports various trading platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and AvaTradeGo, available across web, desktop, and mobile devices. AvaTrade offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, telephone, and email, and boasts robust user recognition due to its wide range of educational resources, multiple trading platforms, and strict regulation. AvaTrade remains a reputable forex broker in Nigeria. Primarily, its strong regulatory standing, being regulated by multiple reputable global authorities, easpecially FSCA in South Africa, provides Nigerian traders with a secure trading environment. Additionally, AvaTrade provides localized customer support, offering tailored assistance and educational resources to meet Nigerian traders' needs. Lastly, convenient local payment methods make it easy for Nigerian traders to make a deposit and withdrawal.

✅ Where AvaTrade Shines:

• With regulation across five continents, AvaTrade provides a high level of trustworthiness and security for its users.

• Offering extensive market exposures,including forex pairs, CFDs on indices, commodities, and stocks, providing traders with ample choices.

• AvaTrade supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary AvaTradeGo, offering great flexibility and functionalities for professional traders.

• AvaTrade offers competitive spreads and up to 400:1 leverage, attractive for professional traders.

❌ Where AvaTrade Shorts:

• AvaTrade charges an inactivity fee of $50 after three months of non-use, which can be a disadvantage for traders who don't trade frequently.

• Unlike many other brokers, AvaTrade does not frequently offer promotions or bonuses, which could deter some traders.

TickMill

Broker	TickMill
Regulated by	FCA, CYSEC, FSCA, LFSA
Min. Deposit	$100
Tradable Instruments	Forex, Stock Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks
Trading Platforms	MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader WebTrader Platform, MetaTrader for Mac,Tickmill Mobile App
Trading Costs	Classic Account: spreads from 1.6 pips, no commissions chargedPro Account: spreads from 0.0 pips, commissions at $2 per side per lotVIP Account: spreads from 0.0 pips, commissions at $1 per side per lot
Max. Leverage	500:1
Demo accounts	✅
Copy Trading	✅
Bonus	✅
Payment Methods	Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, dotpay, Paysafecard, Sofort, Rapid by Skrill, PayPal, and more
Customer Support	5/24

Established in 2014 and based in the Seychelles, TickMill has quickly become a key player in the brokerage industry, offering access to an extensive range of instruments for trading, covering Forex, stock index CFDs, commodities, and bonds. The platform's reliance on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, as well as its proprietary trading app, known for its intuitive design and sophisticated trading functionalities. TickMill stands out for its accessible minimum deposit,starting from $100, welcoming traders with various investment levels. The broker's exceptional customer support ensures queries and concerns are addressed promptly, contributing to its strong reputation. In Nigeria, TickMill's rise in popularity is driven by its transparent operations and the reliable trading conditions it offers, positioning it as a preferred broker among local traders.

✅ Where TickMill Shines:

• Strictly regulated, including FSCA in South Africa, giving traders in Nigeria more assurance to trade forex.

• Offering extensive markets, including over 60 currency pairs,

• Vast trading platform options, including MT4, MT5, as well as a propritery trading app, giving traders more choices.

• Accessible minimum deposit from $100, wecoming traders of different levels.

• A $30 no deposit welcome bonus, giving beginners great courage to start real trading.

❌ Where TickMill Shorts:

• Customer support team only works 5/24, which can lead to some inconvenience for traders who have problems during weekends.

Conclusion

To conclude, for those trading Forex from Nigeria, choosing the right time to trade is crucial. The period when the London and New York sessions overlap is especially profitable, providing the best conditions for trading USD and EUR pairs due to high liquidity and volatility. Aligning trading activities with these peak hours can significantly boost success. Therefore, optimizing your trading timetable to take advantage of these prime trading times is an essential strategy for Forex traders at any level of experience.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)

When does the Sydney session open and close in Nigeria time？

In Nigerian time, the Sydney session opens at 10:00 PM and closes at 7:00 AM. Trading during the Sydney session from Nigeria provides a great opportunity to engage with early Forex market movements, especially in AUD and NZD pairs.

When does the Tokyo session open and close in Nigeria time？

The Tokyo session opens at 1:00 AM and closes at 10:00 AM, Nigerian time, providing a significant window for traders to access to the Asian market, capturing the unique dynamics, particularly in JPY currency pairs.

Which is the most volatile session for Forex trading？

The most volatile session for Forex trading is typically the London and New York overlap, occurring from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Nigerian time. This period shines with its increased liquidity and notable price movements, offering a golden opportunity for traders eager for dynamic market action.

How much can I start forex trading with in Nigeria？

In Nigeria, you can start Forex trading with as little as $100 (or its equivalent in Naira), depending on the broker's minimum deposit requirements. However, some brokers may allow you to begin trading even less, offering greater flexibility for traders of different trading experience and levels.