Business

CBN Cuts Interest Rate to 26.5% on disinflation

The committee’s decision was premised on a balanced evaluation of risk to the outlook, which suggests that the ongoing disinflation trajectory would continue, largely supported by the transmission of previous monetary tightening, sustained exchange rate stability and enhanced food supply.”

Published

6 months ago

February 25, 2026

OCHEFA

326 Views

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reduced the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points from 27 percent to 26.5 percent.

The Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this at the end of the 304th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held yesterday in Abuja.

The bank also retained the standing facilities corridor at +50 to -450 basis points and kept the Cash Reserve Requirements, CRR unchanged (deposit money banks 45%, merchant banks 16%, and 75% for non TSA public sector deposits).

Cardoso explained, “The committee’s decision was premised on a balanced evaluation of risk to the outlook, which suggests that the ongoing disinflation trajectory would continue, largely supported by the transmission of previous monetary tightening, sustained exchange rate stability and enhanced food supply.”

He added that the committee took into account the sustained deceleration of the year-on-year, headline inflation in January 2026 marking the 11th consecutive month of decline.

“This downward trajectory in inflation was driven mainly by the continued effects of the contractionary monetary policy, stability in the foreign exchange market, robust capital inflows and improvement in the balance of payments,” he said.

According to him, the momentum was further reinforced by relative stability in the prices of petroleum products and improved food supply conditions, especially staples.

Related Topics:CBN February rate cut Featured

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Business

Cybercriminals cloning DStv, other brands to steal bank accounts across Africa

According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.

Published

2 days ago

August 21, 2026

OCHEFA

26 Views

Cybercriminals are impersonating popular companies and government agencies across Africa in a campaign designed to take over smartphones and bank accounts.

More than 100 fake websites linked to the malware campaign have been identified since August 2025.

Brands including DStv, Takealot and South African Airways, as well as the South African Revenue Service (SARS), are being used to make fraudulent messages and websites appear legitimate.

The attacks are particularly concerning in South Africa, where Android dominates the mobile operating system market.

NordVPN said the attacks typically begin with social engineering, where criminals send convincing messages through SMS, WhatsApp or social media.

The messages may contain urgent offers or requests involving job opportunities, tax refunds, identity renewals or pension verification.

Victims are then directed to fake websites designed to closely resemble the official websites of trusted organisations.

The sites encourage users to download an Android application. Once installed, the malicious software can operate quietly in the background, including after the smartphone is restarted.

Business

Cement price hits N16,000 per bag

The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.

Published

2 days ago

August 21, 2026

OCHEFA

33 Views

• Chairman of BUA cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR)

Cement dealers across Nigeria have announced fresh price increases, with a 50kg bag now selling for as much as N16,000 in some markets, up from N13,000 recorded by buyers just days earlier.

The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.

By the third quarter of 2025, that had risen to about N9,000 before reaching the N12,000 to N16,000 range now seen across different locations.

Other building materials have followed a similar upward path. Blocks have climbed from around N600 to N1,100 each.

Sand has gone from N165,000 to N250,000 per 30 tonnes. Granite has risen from N530,000 to N780,000 per 30 tonnes.

Reinforcing steel now costs N1.15 million per tonne, up from N850,000.