CBN increases Monetary Policy Rate to 18%

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) in the country to 18 per cent from 17.5 per cent.

The CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said this on Tuesday when he read the communique issued at the end of the 290th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

At the last MPC meeting in January, it was increased by 100 basis points, from 16.5 per cent to 17.5 per cent.

According to Emefiele, 10 out of the 12 committee members present at the meeting voted for a moderate rise in the MPR.

He, however, said that all other parameters remained constant.

The Asymmetric Corridor of +100/-500 basis points around the MPR, the Liquidity Ratio of 30 per cent and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of 32.5 per cent were thus retained.

According to Emefiele, the committee debated whether to continue the rate hike to further check inflation.

He said that the MPC also considered whether to hold the rate to observe emerging developments and allow for the impact of the last five rate hikes to permeate the economy.

“Loosening in the view of the committee members would undermine gains so far achieved.

“MPC observed the upward risk to price development and expectations of the removal of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) subsidy.

“These, in the view of members, provide a compelling argument for an upward adjustment of the policy rate, albeit less aggressively,” he said.

He also said that the apex bank’s naira redesign and cash withdrawal policies had resulted in a sizable reduction in currency outside the banking system.

According to him, that is an indication of improvement in the potency of monetary policy tools of the CBN.

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