Business

MAN Tasks CBN On Monetary Policy Failures To Curb Inflation

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2023

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) says that the Monetary Policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has failed to curb the rising inflation in the economy.

The Association, therefore, urges the apex bank to think outside the conventional monetary policy framework and take pragmatic steps to quell the inflationary pressure and reposition the economy.

Reacting today, to the CBN’s Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) which raised to 18.5 percent in May 2023 from 18 percent, MAN said : ” This MPR increase is the 7th in a trend and the inflation rate continues to rise despite the increases.

Segun Ajayi-Kadir, its Director-General, said that this is a clear indication that the policy tightening is not effective in curbing the inflationary pressures and more needed to be done.
What Should Be Done?
” It is evident that the continuous and consistent increase in MPR is not yielding the desired growth in the economy.

” The Nigerian economy remains fragile and bedeviled with numerous challenges that inhibit growth. Therefore, the monetary authority needs to pay closer attention to rethink the policy mix, bearing in mind the parlous state of the economy, especially the effect of a high MPR on the manufacturing sector and the economy.

The increase in MPR from 18% to 18.5% will certainly lead to an increase in lending rates and worsen the uncompetitiveness of the manufacturing sector.

The Association has been clamoring for single-digit lending rates to allow manufacturers access needed funds to boost the performance of the sector.

This increase, like the previous ones, is evidence that the CBN is either unperturbed about the plight of the productive sector or is unable to fathom out a more creative policy mix that would reflate the sector.

We are persuaded that monetary authority is oblivious of the fact that the failure of its tightening policy to address the inflationary pressure is because the hike in inflation is largely caused by a combination of familiar challenges, including low output which is attributed to instability of macroeconomic variables, inconsistent and lackluster fiscal policy regime, incoherent industrial policies, challenging and expensive operating environment, exploitative regulation, external shocks and poor exchange rate management.

Therefore, there is a need to address the identified root causes of inflation and refrain from intensifying policy choices that hamper the performance of the real sectors of the economy.

Interrelationship Among Interest Rate, Inflation Rate and Exchange Rate

The movements of interest rate, inflation rate and exchange rate have direct impact on investment, employment and output of any economy.

In the conventional monetary framework that was adopted by the CBN, increase in MPR should increase interest rate and by extension attract financial investment.

However, it will also increase the cost of borrowing, crowd out more investments in the real sector and lower the output of the manufacturing sector, ” said the Director-General.

Business

BREAKING: Goodnews, as Nigeria’s inflation rate nosedives to 23.7%

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2025

Charles Flames

Nigeria’s inflation dropped to 23.7 percent in April, from 24.23 percent in March 2025.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed this in its April Consumer Price Index and inflation data released on Thursday.

The figure showed that Nigeria’s inflation cooled off by 1.86 percent on a month-on-month basis.

Similarly, the food inflation rate in April stood at 21.26 percent.

“In April 2025, the headline inflation rate eased to 23.71 percent relative to the March 2025 headline inflation rate of 24.23 percent.

“The MoM headline inflation rate in April 2025 was 1.86 percent.

The food inflation rate was 21.26 percent (YoY),” NBS wrote on its X account on Thursday.

The latest CPI data comes ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting slated for May 19 and 20, 2025.

Recall that Nigeria’s inflation rose to 24.23 percent in March for the first time after CPI rebase in January 2025.

In February, the CBN MPC paused interest rate hikes after inflation dropped.

Business

Lagos Attracts $200m Investment from Abu Dhabi -Ambrose-Medebem

The investment is also aimed at boosting ICT innovation and healthcare facilities.

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2025

OhiBaba

Lagos State Government said it has attracted over $200 million in partnership deal with the Abu Dhabi Ports aimed at developing critical infrastructure and logistics within the Lekki corridor.

The investment is also aimed at boosting ICT innovation and healthcare facilities.

The State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said this during the ongoing ministerial press briefing to mark the 2nd year in office of the second term of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Alausa, Ikeja.

The State government recently held a roundtable investment forum as part of measures to boost its economy.

The Commissioner revealed that, “As a result of the Lagos Investment Roundtable, numerous Expressions of Interest from local and foreign investors are under active discussion.”

Business

Nigeria First Policy: Customs Championing Made-in-Nigeria Vehicles Procurements

In terms of aesthetics, I am satisfied with what I see here. In terms of functionality, we have been assured by the manufacturers that the vehicles are quite efficient.”

Published

5 days ago

May 12, 2025

OCHEFA

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi has assured members of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) that the Service would champion the procurements of locally assembled vehicles from the auto manufacturers inline with the government’s Nigeria First Policy Directive.

CGC Adeniyi gave the assurance when he inspected vehicles produced by members of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) at the Service’s headquarters, Maitama, Abuja.

After the inspection, the CGC commended the association for turning up in full strength and expressed satisfaction with the quality of the vehicles.

He remarked, “In terms of aesthetics, I am satisfied with what I see here. In terms of functionality, we have been assured by the manufacturers that the vehicles are quite efficient.”

“What gives me joy is that in all the vehicles I have seen today, there is an imprint of Nigeria, which shows that they are fully assembled here. It gives me joy that Mr President’s policy is on the right course,” he added.

He further praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Nigeria First policy initiative in the automobile industry.

He pledged that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to patronise and support the sector for the growth and well-being of the nation’s industrial economy.

In response, Ilekuba Anslem Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Cedric Masters Group, commended the CGC for his unwavering support for the automobile industry.

Also, Oluwatobi Ajayi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nord Automobile Limited, praised the CGC.

“Even before this policy was announced, you had been championing made-in-Nigeria vehicles.

With Mr President’s announcement, we are confident that you will be the first CEO of a government parastatal to fully champion this policy,” he said.

He assured the CGC that the company would not abandon its vehicles after sales.Similarly, Jonas Ojukwu, a Director at Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM), assured the Nigeria Customs Service of the company’s commitment to delivering the best to the Service.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the event included representatives from Mikano Motors Nigeria and Stallion Motors Nigeria.