The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has raised the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to 27.25 per cent, a 50-basis-point increase from 26.75 per cent.
This decision was reached during the 297th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Governor of the CBN, Mr Yemi Cardoso, who chaired the meeting, explained that the rise is aimed at controlling inflation, which remains a major concern.
In addition, the cash reserve ratio for commercial banks was raised by 500 basis points from 45 per cent to 50 per cent, while for Merchant Banks, it increased by 200 basis points from 14 per cent to 16 per cent. The liquidity ratio was maintained at 30 per cent.
The CBN also adjusted the asymmetric corridor around the MPR to +500 and -100 basis points.
An asymmetric corridor is the range within which the interest rate can fluctuate. In this case, it means the rate can go five per cent higher or one per cent lower than the 27.25 per cent benchmark, giving the bank flexibility in managing short-term borrowing costs.
Mr Cardoso explained that the decision to tighten monetary policy was unanimous, citing inflationary pressures driven by food inflation, rising energy prices, and foreign exchange instability.
“The uptrend poses severe concerns to members as it clearly indicates the persistence of inflationary pressures,” he said.
While the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported a decline in headline inflation to 32.15 per cent in August, Mr Cardoso noted that core inflation remains elevated, emphasising the need for more action to achieve price stability.
According to him, “The committee was unanimous in recognising that a lot more is required to actualise the bank’s price stability mandate.”
- Reps Demand GCON Title for Speaker, Decry Discrimination Against House - October 4, 2024
- FG Prepares Evacuation of Citizens in Lebanon Amid Israel-Hezbollah Conflict - October 2, 2024
- Tinubu Departs for Annual Leave in the United Kingdom - October 2, 2024