Economy

Stop Interest Hiking, Experts Tell CBN As Apex Bank Raises Rate Again

Published

1 month ago

November 27, 2024

Experts have called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt its consistent interest rate hikes, citing the adverse effects on small businesses and household finances. The call follows the apex bank’s decision to increase the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 25 basis points, raising it from 27.25% to 27.50%.

The decision, announced by CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja, was aimed at tackling rising inflation. The MPC unanimously agreed to the hike, emphasizing its necessity to curb inflationary pressures.

Governor Cardoso also highlighted concerns over inflation driven by surging food and energy costs, stating that price stability remains a top priority. “The full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector is expected to stabilize price levels in the medium term,” he added.

Financial analysts expressed mixed reactions to the move. Professor Uche Uwaleke, Nigeria’s first Professor of Capital Market, suggested the marginal increase could indicate a pause in aggressive rate hikes by early next year. “A halt is necessary to alleviate the rising cost of funds and improve credit access for small businesses,” Uwaleke explained.

On the other hand, Olatunde Amolegbe, Managing Director of Arthur Steven Asset Management, acknowledged the hike as expected but warned it could further strain businesses and households. “Higher financing costs will be passed to consumers, escalating prices of goods and services,” he noted.

David Adonri, Managing Director of Highcap Securities Limited, underscored the importance of monetary policy in managing inflation but stressed its limitations without complementary fiscal measures. He attributed rising inflation to expansionary fiscal policies, insecurity, and currency depreciation.

Despite the CBN’s measures, inflation remains stubbornly high, exacerbating economic instability. Analysts linked poor Q3 2024 GDP performance in agriculture and manufacturing to rising interest and exchange rates.

Adonri emphasized that unchecked inflation would harm both consumers and producers, urging fiscal and monetary authorities to collaborate on structural reforms. “Interest rate hikes offer short-term benefits, such as exchange rate stability, but addressing structural issues is vital for long-term growth,” he said.

Cardoso expressed satisfaction with the banking sector’s stability amid external and internal challenges. He noted that key financial indicators, including the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio, remained robust.

Experts and the CBN alike stressed the need for coordination between monetary and fiscal policies to address the structural causes of inflation and stabilize the economy. Governor Cardoso reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, especially in managing exchange rate pressures and inflation fueled by high demand and energy costs.

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Economy

SEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate in Lagos and FCT today, 9th January 2025

Published

20 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Naijablitznews

The official naira black market exchange rate in Lagos and FCT, Abuja today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.

According to Bureau De Change (BDC) sources in the Ogba and Ikeja axis of Lagos state, the exchange rate for a dollar to naira at the Parallel Market (Black Market) was N1750 on Thursday, January 9th, 2024, players bought a dollar for N1750 and sold it for N1760.

Bureau De Change (BDC) sources in Gwarimpa and Gwagwalada in FCT buy a dollar for N1760 and sell it for N1770 on Thursday, January 9th, 2024.

Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.

Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Lagos
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate N1750
Selling Rate N1760
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate FCT, Abuja
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Buying Rate N1760
Selling Rate N1770
Please note that the rates you buy or sell forex may differ from what is captured in this article because prices vary from state to state across Nigeria.

Economy

SEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate In Lagos, FCT, 4th January 2025

Published

6 days ago

January 4, 2025

Naijablitznews

Bureau De Change (BDC) sources in Gwarimpa and Gwagwalada in FCT buy a dollar for N1760 and sell it for N1770 on Saturday, January 4th, 2024.

Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate in Lagos and FCT today, 4th January 2025.

The official naira black market exchange rate in Lagos and FCT, Abuja today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.

According to Bureau De Change (BDC) sources in the Ogba and Ikeja axis of Lagos state, the exchange rate for a dollar to naira at the Parallel Market (Black Market) was N1750 on Saturday, January 4th, 2024, players bought a dollar for N1750 and sold it for N1760.

Bureau De Change (BDC) sources in Gwarimpa and Gwagwalada in FCT buy a dollar for N1760 and sell it for N1770 on Saturday, January 4th, 2024.

Economy

Why 1,000 workers left CBN – Cardoso

Published

6 days ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Central Bank of Nigeria has again clarified that the 1,000 staff members who opted out of service in December 2024 were not forced to quit their jobs.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, stated this on Friday in Abuja at an investigative hearing of the House of Representatives’ ad-hoc committee probing the circumstances leading to the exit of the staff members and how the sum of N50bn severance package for the affected persons was arrived at.

Cardoso added that the affected persons opted to disengage through the voluntary Early Exit Program with payment of full benefits.

Represented by Deputy Director, Corporate Service of the CBN, Bala Bello, Cardoso explained. “The Early Exit Program, Restructuring and Re-organization “are basically ways and means through which the performance of an organization is optimized by ensuring that round pegs are put in right holes. The manpower requirement of the bank is actually met.

“I’m very happy to mention that the early exit program of the CBN is 100 per cent voluntary. It’s not mandatory. Nobody has been asked to leave, and nobody has been forced to leave. It’s a completely voluntary programme that has been put in place.”

He also noted that the exercise was not restricted to government agencies alone, saying, “I believe several organisations across the world, and even within this country, both in terms of the private sector and the public sector, are undertaking similar exercises.”

Continuing, Cardoso said, “In the past, we had instances in which cases of stagnation and lack of career progression appear. In an organisation, you’ve got a pyramid where from each level to the next level, the gap keeps narrowing. If not, you are going to have a quasi-organisation, an inverted pyramid.

“It gets to the level where you have, for example, 30 departments in the Central Bank. You cannot have 60 directors manning 30 departments. It’s not going to work.

“Once those vacancies are filled, it gets to a level where some people, even though they are very qualified, able, and willing, but the vacancies are not there. And then they got to a level where they are stagnated for a period of time.”

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the committee, Bello Kumo, noted that the committee’s responsibility was to submit the report to the House.