Higher interest rates will lower inflation – CBN Gov, Cardoso

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has defended the bank’s decision to raise the Monetary Policy Rate to 27.25 per cent, describing it as a necessary move to control inflation and curb excess money in circulation.

This is according to a press statement from the apex bank on Sunday.

Speaking during an address at the Harvard Club of Nigeria over the weekend, Cardoso emphasized that the rate hike, while tough on borrowers, is crucial for the country’s economic stability.

“Our decision to raise the Monetary Policy Rate to 27.25 per cent was a bold move. Higher interest rates, while painful for borrowers, are necessary to curb excess money in circulation and control inflation. Leadership is about making hard choices to secure long-term stability over short-term comfort in moments like these,” Cardoso said.

He noted that the CBN’s focus on core objectives, such as containing inflation, restoring credibility, and building public trust in the financial system, is critical to any meaningful recovery.

Cardoso’s remarks came as he reflected on his tenure as the head of the CBN, marking one year in office. He pointed out that trust is at the core of central banking, and without it, the effectiveness of the bank’s policies would diminish.

The CBN Governor also said the introduction of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System is a key initiative to enhance transparency and restore market confidence.

“Trust is the currency of central banking. If the public loses trust in the institution, the efficacy of its policies diminishes. Our decision to implement the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System is rooted in this understanding.

“By enhancing transparency and providing more accurate oversight of forex transactions, we send a strong signal that the CBN is serious about fair and efficient markets,” he said.

Cardoso also revisited the bank’s controversial decision to float the naira, a move that was met with public criticism.

He explained that the decision was necessary to bring the official exchange rate closer to market reality and reduce speculative trading.

He asserted that the move had started stabilising the currency markets and reducing speculative trading.

While the CBN has yet to fully achieve its inflation targets, Cardoso expressed optimism, citing recent reports from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed inflation had begun to decline in July and August 2024.

He acknowledged that the bank’s policies are gradually steering the economy in the right direction, though challenges remain.

The Punch