MPC raises interest rate to 22.5%

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised benchmark interest rate by 400 basis point from 18.5 percent to 22.5 percent.

CBN governor Yemi Cardoso disclosed the decision of the meeting, the first since his announcement as the apex bank governor.

He said the move was in a bit to tame the stubborn inflation that had not responded much to the previous marginal increase.

The CBN governor said the committee raised the MPR by 400 basis points to 22.75 percent, and adjusted the asymmetric corridor at +100 and -700 basis points from +100 basis points and -300 basis points around the MPR.

He said the committee also increased the cash reserve ratio (CRR) from 32.5 percent to 45 percent, while retaining the liquidity rate at 30 percent.

On inflation, he said the rate of change in prices of goods and services rose to 29.9 percent in January 2024, from 28.92 percent in December 2023

He attributed the hike in inflation to rising costs of energy, high fiscal deficits and insecurity.