CBN Raises Interest Rate To 26.25% Amid Rising Inflation

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised the interest rate by 150 basis points to 26.25 per cent.

The Monetary Policy Committee of the apex bank increased the benchmark interest rate to 26.25 per cent on Tuesday.

This was disclosed by the Governor of the CBN, Yemi Cardoso, who doubles as the Chairman of the MPC at the end of the 295th MPC meeting held in Abuja.

At the March MPC meeting, the benchmark rate had been increased by 200 basis points from 22.75 per cent to 24.75 per cent.

The MPC has maintained a hawkish stance since it resumed meetings this year in a bid to tackle Nigeria’s persistent inflation.

As of April, Nigeria’s inflation rate had risen to 33.69 per cent.

A number of analysts have projected a rate hike while some suggested that the apex bank may consider a hold stance as the growth rate of inflation moderated month-on-month.