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Experts project hike, tightening of MPR as CBN holds first MPC meeting today

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By Seun Ibiyemi, Lagos and Mathew Dennis, Abuja

Economic experts have projected a hike and tightening of the benchmark interest rate known as the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) ahead of their inaugural meeting of 2024.

Recall that the last meeting of the MPC was held in July 2023, and was presided over by the then acting CBN governor, Folashodun Shonubi.

At the July 2023 meeting, the committee had raised MPR by 25 basis points to 18.75 per cent from 18.50 per cent.

When questioned earlier in February on why his administration was yet to hold an MPC meeting, Cardoso explained that he was concerned about the transmission of the monetary policy, describing it as “questionable.”

“Firstly, I was a bit concerned when I became governor of the central bank and engaging you know, with various stakeholders, both internally and externally, that a lot of work seems to have been done around MPC,” Cardoso said.

“A lot of work, a lot of discussions have been held around it and you know what, I was concerned that transmission was questionable.

“I didn’t want a situation where we started back on that same trajectory. It is for that reason that we took our time to ensure that as much as possible, we can put ourselves in a position where the MPC will be impactful and where it will complement the activities of the fiscal side and show that moving.

“We’re moving the economy in the right direction and we are signalling the economy in the right direction.”

Speaking to Nigerian NewsDirect via a telephone conversation, the Chief Executive Officer of Marble Capital, Dr. Akin Oyewale predicted that the meeting is likely to raise the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) with the economic situation.

The financial expert said, “Given the high inflation regime and considering what we are seeing from the gilt edged securities trading levels, it is likely that the MPC could raise the MPR.”

He argued that the CBN has access to tons of data that would guide their decisions to stabilise the economy.

Similarly, an Economist and Managing Director of Financial Derivatives, Bismarck Rewane had also suggested that the MPR would be tightened.

According to Rewane, loose monetary conditions are totally different from tight monetary policy.

“We have no choice. They must tighten and tighten well. I suggest nothing less than 200 basis points.

“You fight loose monetary conditions by tightening monetary policy.

“There will be an effect of that because interest rate will increase, people will save more and consume less, and the currency will stabilise over time. There is no quick-fix,” he said.

Also speaking to Nigerian NewsDirect, the President of the Nigeria Workers Group (NWG), Dr. David Kayode Ehindero stressed that the apex bank in the MPC meeting should focus on providing remedy to the skyrocketed inflation.

He suggested that there should be more support from the fiscal authorities for instance in providing incentives to encourage more manufacturing activities considering the fact that the economy is comatose.

According to him, “All the social programme intervention by Tinubu’s Administration should be transparent and accounted for since the people designated for the programme are not benefiting from it.”

Dr. Ehindero revealed that at the MPC discussion should be tailored on the reality of the economy with immediate effects.

A past president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, also said that the rates are likely to go up.

Unegbu, however, said that the MPC decisions are not likely to impact the economy in the short-term.

“I expect that the MPC will further tighten the rates, but that might not have any serious impact on the economy.

“President Bola Tinubu has already taken some sensitive policy decisions, even before appointing the CBN governor and the finance minister.

“Floating the Naira was a major error that has caused the nation so much pain,” he said.

He urged the government to try operating outside the purview of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and pricing the country’s major revenue earner, crude oil, in Naira.

“Nigeria should do something about pricing its oil in Naira. We should leave OPEC, price our oil independently,” he said.

Unegbu also advised that the government should learn to ignore most economic prescriptions by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as such prescriptions had never helped the country to grow.

The Senate last week confirmed Mr Cardoso as Chairman and 11 other members of the MPC forwarded to it by President Bola Tinubu.

Also confirmed as members of the MPC were Muhammad Abdullahi, Bala Bello, Emem Usoro and Philip Ikeazor, all deputy governors of CBN.

Others were Lamido Yuguda (DG Securities and Exchange Commission), Jafiya Shehu (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance), Murtala Sagagi (CBN director), Aloysius Ordu, Aku Odukemelu, Mustapha Akinwunmi, and Bamidele Amoo.

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Lagos-Calabar coastal project: Landmark commences refunds to customers

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The management of Landmark Resort Beach said it has commenced the refund process for customers affected by the recent demolition of portions of its properties by the Federal Government.

Landmark Africa, the parent company of Landmark Resort, made this known on Friday in a post on its X handle.

The firm acknowledged the patience of their customers, advising that completion of the refund process may be delayed due to the volume of requests.

t said: “Dear Landmark Citizens, we would like to assure you all that we have started issuing refunds to those who requested a refund of their money on the Landmark Citizen App.

“Please be patient with us, due to the volume of requests, this process will take some time. Be rest assured that all refund requests will be processed. Thank you all for your support and patience.

A portion of Landmark Beach on Victoria Island, Lagos, was recently demolished to accommodate the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

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NiMet forecasts 3-day sunny, cloudy atmosphere conditions

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Friday to Sunday across the nation.

NiMet weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja forecast sunny skies in hazy atmosphere on Friday over the northern region with exception of Taraba state where pockets of clouds could be visible during the forecast period.

According to the agency, sunny atmosphere patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region during the forecast period.

“The Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency said later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Abia and Imo states.

NiMet predicted sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere on Saturday over the northern region with prospects of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna state.

It anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi and Plateau states.

“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the southern region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over the region,” it said.

According to NiMet, sunny skies in hazy atmosphere are expected over the northern region during the forecast period on Sunday.

The agency predicted sunny atmosphere with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

NiMet forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory later in the day.

NiMet predicted Cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Ekiti, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day.

“Strong winds may precede rains in the areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, the public should take adequate precaution.

“Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

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Nigeria accedes to Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Devt agreement

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Nigeria has become the latest signatory to the Establishment Agreement of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development impact-oriented subsidiary of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

This is contained in a statement signed by Vincent Musumba, Manager, Media Relations, Afreximbank, in Abuja on Friday.

Musumba said Nigeria joined the ranks of countries acceding to the Establishment Agreement of FEDA, becoming the 16th nation to do so.

He said this underscored the increasing backing the Fund enjoyed among African nations.

“This announcement comes three decades following Afreximbank’s establishment in Nigeria, a key milestone that boldly demonstrates Nigeria’s continued commitment to supporting Afreximbank and FEDA’s missions.

“ FEDA sees new memberships as critical to broadening its scope of interventions and its mission of delivering long-term capital to African economies, with a focus on industrialisation, intra-African trade and value-added exports.”

Musumba said the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement was expected to pave the way for the ratification of the agreement in due course.

“This will in turn bolster FEDA’s interventions in Nigeria.”

He quoted Prof. Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank and Chairman of the Boards of both Afreximbank and FEDA, as saying: ”we extend our sincere appreciation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement.

“This significant achievement further strengthens the already robust partnership between Afreximbank and Nigeria, one of the bank’s foremost supporters.

“The partnership will enhance investments in sectors critical to the development journey of Nigeria.”

Musumba said FEDA is the impact investment subsidiary of Afreximbank set up to provide equity, quasi-equity, and debt capital to finance the multi-billion-dollar funding gap (particularly in equity) needed to transform the Trade sector in Africa.

He said other countries who had acceded to FEDA’s Establishment Agreement included Rwanda, Mauritania, Guinea, Togo, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Musumba said others are Kenya, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Egypt.

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