Economy

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

Published

12 months 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.

Up Next

FX platform: CBN sets $100,000 minimum trade for banks

Don't Miss

Breaking: CBN jacks up Interest Rate To 27.5 Per Cent

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Economy

See Dollar to Naira Exchange rate today, November 10, 2025

Published

5 days ago

November 10, 2025

ADMIN

Nigeria’s official Daily Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate opened the week around ₦1,436–₦1,437 to the US dollar on Monday, November 10, 2025, while the parallel (black/BDC) market continued to trade the dollar roughly between ₦1,450 and ₦1,470 depending on location and dealer.

Key figures

NFEM/official (volume-weighted average): about ₦1,436–₦1,437 per $1.

Parallel/BDC (reported ranges): buy ₦1,450–₦1,458; sell ₦1,460–₦1,470.

What happened today
The official FX window — the Daily Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) — remained close to the mid-₦1,430s, reflecting steady dollar inflows from exporters and remittances that kept official liquidity intact. At the same time, dollar demand in cash-heavy city BDC markets pushed parallel-market quotes higher, producing the persistent spread between the official and street rates.

Why the gap persists
Analysts point to a mix of structural and cyclical factors: the end of subsidy-related pressures, improved dollar inflows linked to higher non-oil earnings, and recent policy moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria. But limited access to small-dollar cash and the fragmented nature of BDC liquidity keep parallel-market premiums in place. International market sentiment and capital flows remain important drivers of short-term moves.

How this affects consumers and businesses

Importers and firms needing physical dollars still factor in the parallel-market premium when pricing and sourcing goods.

Remittance recipients often get rates closer to the parallel market when cash is required immediately.

Traders and FX desks monitor the NFEM rate for contractual and official reporting while using BDC quotes to assess immediate cash needs.

Over the past week the dollar–naira has fluctuated in the mid-₦1,430s to mid-₦1,460s, with occasional spikes in the parallel market when local cash demand rises. The Central Bank’s measures to improve FX liquidity and recent macroeconomic signals (including an interest-rate shift earlier in the fall) have helped reduce volatility compared with earlier in 2025, but a permanent narrowing of the spread depends on sustained, predictable dollar supply.

Economy

Naira Rebounces Against The USD, EURO, GBP Today November 6, 2025 At The Official And Black Markets

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2025

ADMIN

See rates below:

Dollars to Naira (USD to NGN)
Type Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate (Black Market) ₦1450
Selling Rate (Black Market) ₦1460
Official CBN Rate ₦1439

Euro to Naira (EUR to NGN)
Type Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate (Black Market) ₦1650
Selling Rate (Black Market) ₦1685
Official CBN Rate ₦1654

Pounds to Naira (GBP to NGN)
Type Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate (Black Market) ₦1840
Selling Rate (Black Market) ₦1940
Official CBN Rate ₦1877

Economy

SEE Dollar to Naira Exchange rate: Black Market and CBN rates

Published

3 weeks ago

October 28, 2025

Prosper Omotola

By Prosper Olayiwola

The exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Nigerian naira continued to fluctuate across different markets on Monday, October 27, 2025, as traders and Bureau De Change (BDC) operators reported mixed prices.

At the Lagos Parallel Market, commonly referred to as the black market, one U.S. dollar was sold at ₦1,499 and bought at ₦1,485, according to traders interviewed early Monday. This reflects a slight adjustment from weekend figures, as market demand for the greenback remained strong amid limited supply.

However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has repeatedly emphasized that it does not recognize the parallel market, warning Nigerians against patronizing unregulated forex dealers. The apex bank maintains that all legitimate foreign exchange transactions should be carried out through authorized channels, particularly commercial banks, to ensure transparency and stability in the financial system.

Black Market (Aboki FX) Exchange Rate Today

Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Rate
Buying Rate ₦1,485
Selling Rate ₦1,499

Official CBN Exchange Rate Today

Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate
Highest Rate ₦1,457
Lowest Rate ₦1,450

It is important to note that exchange rates may differ depending on location, volume of transaction, and demand dynamics at various trading points. Rates reported by independent sources or online platforms may also vary slightly from those published by official or regulated channels.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with inflationary pressures and declining foreign reserves, analysts say the exchange rate movement will remain one of the most closely watched indicators of economic stability in the weeks ahead.