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OPS reacts on CBN’s interest rates reduction

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The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has reduced the country’s benchmark interest rate to 27.00 per cent, the first cut in 2025 after three consecutive pauses, signaling a shift in policy towards supporting economic recovery.

While welcoming the move, members of the Organised Private Sector argued that the reduction remains marginal and insufficient to ease the credit squeeze on manufacturers and small businesses.

Announcing the decision at a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja after the committee’s 302nd meeting, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso said all 12 members voted in favour of a 50-basis point cut from 27.5 per cent.

The committee also adjusted the Standing Facilities corridor to +250/-250 basis points, raised the Cash Reserve Requirement for commercial banks to 45 per cent while retaining merchant banks at 16 per cent, and introduced a 75 per cent CRR on non-TSA public sector deposits. The Liquidity Ratio was left unchanged at 30 per cent.

Cardoso explained that the decision was underpinned by “sustained disinflation recorded in the past five months, projections of declining inflation for the rest of 2025, and the need to support economic recovery efforts.”

The MPC noted that headline inflation slowed to 20.12 per cent in August from 21.88 per cent in July. Food inflation fell to 21.87 per cent from 22.74 per cent, while core inflation eased to 20.33 per cent from 21.33 per cent. On a month-to-month basis, inflation dropped sharply to 0.74 per cent in August compared with 1.99 per cent in July.

“This reduction is the first under my leadership and the first in five years,” Cardoso noted. The last time Nigeria cut its policy rate was in September 2020, when it dropped from 12.5 per cent to 11.5 per cent.

Across Africa, a similar trend is unfolding. Just last week, Ghana slashed its policy rate by 350 basis points to 21.5 per cent, while Kenya reduced its benchmark to 9.5 per cent in August. Nigeria’s cut, however, still leaves it with one of the highest rates on the continent.

The MPC also highlighted positive macroeconomic trends, particularly Nigeria’s second-quarter GDP growth of 4.23 per cent, up from 3.13 per cent in the first quarter.

The rebound was largely driven by the oil sector, which expanded by 20.46 per cent compared with just 1.87 per cent in the previous quarter.

The committee commended the Federal Government for improved security in oil-producing regions, noting that sustained production growth would strengthen external reserves and stabilize the naira.

Foreign reserves rose to $43.05bn as of September 11, 2025, up from $40.51bn at the end of July, providing an import cover of 8.28 months. The current account balance also recorded a surplus of $5.28bn in Q2, up from $2.85bn in Q1.

Cardoso disclosed that 14 banks had already met the new recapitalisation requirements, with the sector remaining resilient and financial soundness indicators within prudential benchmarks.

Looking ahead, the MPC projected continued disinflation, supported by exchange rate stability, declining petrol prices, and the harvest season. The next MPC meeting is scheduled for November 24–25, 2025.

 

 

OPS reacts

While the rate cut was widely acknowledged as a step in the right direction, members of the Organised Private Sector argued that the reduction remains marginal and insufficient to ease the credit squeeze on manufacturers and small businesses.

Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, described the cut as welcome but inadequate. “Virtually every time the MPC meets, what we anticipate is a reduction in rates. This is welcome, but it has not gotten us anywhere near our expectations. Manufacturers need to borrow at no more than five per cent for that borrowing to be supportive of production,” he said.

Ajayi-Kadir emphasised that no bank would lend at a rate below the MPR, meaning credit costs remain unaffordable. “It signals a rethinking by the CBN, but manufacturers still await a time when rates will be significantly lower,” he added.

Similarly, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale Oyerinde, warned that the cut’s impact might be undermined by other restrictive measures such as the high CRR. “If credit costs are lowered, businesses can access affordable financing, expand investments, and create jobs. But the persistently high CRR and liquidity restrictions risk limiting these outcomes,” Oyerinde said.

He pointed out that while inflation moderated in August, food inflation at 21.87 per cent continues to erode disposable incomes. “Macroeconomic stability must translate into tangible relief for Nigerians,” he added, urging the government to complement monetary policy with structural reforms.

The President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Dr Femi Egbesola, called the rate cut a “good start” but “insignificant” in the broader context. “Compared to other developing countries, ours still ranks among the highest. Access to finance remains the number one challenge of SMEs. A 0.5 reduction is insignificant compared to the pressure on the real sector,” he said.

Egbesola called for special credit windows at single-digit rates for small businesses, stressing that alternative funding sources beyond banks must also be explored.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise echoed similar sentiments, commending the MPC’s move but stressing the need for complementary fiscal reforms.

Its Director, Dr Muda Yusuf, described the rate cut as “a welcome and timely intervention,” adding that the lower MPR combined with a reduced CRR should expand banks’ capacity to create credit and lower lending rates. This will support business expansion, stimulate output growth, and create jobs,” Yusuf said.

He, however, stressed that monetary easing alone is not enough. “Fiscal authorities must prioritise infrastructure to reduce production costs, strengthen the regulatory framework, and sustain fiscal consolidation to ensure macroeconomic stability and investor confidence,” he said.

Yusuf further urged the government to address insecurity, which continues to threaten private investment and rural productivity.

Observers agree that the CBN’s decision marks a significant shift in monetary policy, moving from stabilisation towards growth acceleration. Analysts note that while inflation remains elevated, the trend of disinflation provides room for cautious easing to support recovery.

For manufacturers, small businesses, and employers, the cut is a signal of intent but falls short of delivering immediate relief. The consensus across the OPS is that credit costs must drop significantly further, ideally into single digits, to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s productive sectors.

As Yusuf summed it up: “If sustained and backed by fiscal and structural reforms, the new stance could stimulate growth, improve private sector performance, boost revenues, and moderate inflation sustainably in the medium to long term.”

On its part, the Nigeria Labour Congress described the CBN’s reduction of the Monetary Policy Rate from 27.50 per cent to 27 per cent as a step in the right direction, but cautioned that borrowing costs remain prohibitively high for businesses.

The Assistant Secretary-General of the NLC, Onyekachi Christopher, told The PUNCH that while it is encouraging that policymakers are considering rate reductions, the current level of 27 per cent remains very high.

“As an organisation advocating for the welfare of workers, we hope to see manufacturers gain better access to financing, produce more goods, hire additional employees, and contribute more meaningfully to the economy,” Onyekachi said. “Easier access to bank loans would support these goals, creating long-term benefits for both businesses and workers.”

Professor of Economics and former Vice-Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Sheriffdeen Tella, said while interest rate theory is more applicable in advanced economies, it remains relevant for Nigeria.

“The CBN likely felt it could reduce rates now that inflation is coming down. High interest rates increase borrowing costs, which in turn raise production costs for businesses. At current levels, borrowing is still unattractive because profits rarely exceed 20–30 per cent annually, making loans hard to justify. Although the reduction is a positive start, rates remain relatively high,” he said.

Former Zenith Bank Chief Economist Marcel Okeke said the rate cut signals the beginning of a loosening in the CBN’s tight monetary stance. “The Monetary Policy Rate is largely indicative. It signals to commercial banks that they may start easing their lending rates rather than keeping them high continuously. Essentially, it shows that the CBN is beginning to loosen its tight monetary stance,” he said.

Okeke noted that historically, high lending rates were driven by the CBN’s tight policy, which pushed the MPR to around 27.5 per cent. “This reduction is the start of reversing that trend. Even if banks only reduce rates by 1–2 per cent, it is symbolic but meaningful. In the next CBN meeting in November, further reductions could follow if inflation continues to decline,” the economist added.

He highlighted that inflation has fallen from almost 35 per cent in December 2024 to about 20.13 per cent in August 2025. “If it continues to fall to around 17–18 per cent, the CBN is likely to reduce the NPR further.

“Lower interest rates make loans more affordable, increasing access to credit and stimulating economic activity. However, the effect isn’t immediate; there is a time lag between policy implementation and visible impact. Further cuts will also depend on exchange rate stability and inflation trends,” Okeke said.

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Reps to mediate in PENGASSAN, Dangote refinery dispute

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The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to intervene in the recent face-off between members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Dangote Refinery, which had disrupted petroleum product distribution nationwide.

The resolution of the House followed the consideration and adoption of a motion of urgent public importance co-sponsored by Kano and Sokoto lawmakers, Alhassan Doguwa and Abdussamad Dasuki, respectively, at Tuesday’s plenary.

Titled: “Need to protect private investment from adversarial unionism,” the lawmakers drew the attention of their colleagues to the significance of the Dangote Refinery, describing it as the largest private petroleum refinery in Africa.

The face-off between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery led to an industrial action which commenced on September 29, 2025, disrupting the operations at the $20bn refinery.

It also led to a disruption in Nigeria’s crude oil production, with a reported daily loss of approximately 200,000 barrels over three days.

The disruption worsened the petroleum supply situation across the country, resulting in scarcity and long queues at filling stations in several states, resulting in severe hardship for millions of Nigerians.

Speaking on the motion, Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano State, stressed the need to protect the Dangote Refinery given its strategic significance to the nation’s economy.

He said, “The House is aware that the Dangote Refinery is a strategic private investment of immense national importance, with the potential to guarantee energy security, reduce import dependency, generate employment, and conserve foreign exchange.

“We are aware that the Dangote Refinery operates within a Free Trade Zone, and therefore falls under the regulatory framework of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, particularly Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act which clearly states that ‘Employment in the free zone shall be governed by rules and regulations made by the Authority and not subject to the provisions of any enactments relating to employment matters.’

“The House is concerned that actions by labour unions that disregard the legal protections conferred on Free Zones under the NEPZA Act not only constitute a breach of law but also create a hostile investment environment that may deter future local and foreign investors;

“We are worried that if private investments of strategic national importance are continually subjected to unlawful disruptions by adversarial unionism, Nigeria risks not only the failure of key economic assets but also the erosion of investor confidence necessary for national growth and development.”

In his contribution, the member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, Ahmad Jaha, urged the House to tread carefully, adding that the call for a probe as prayed by the motion was ill-timed.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged its leadership to broker peace between the two parties in the interest of the nation.

It also urged the Federal Ministries of Labour and Employment, Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as Justice, to “Jointly develop and implement a national framework or set of policies to safeguard private investments of strategic national importance from adversarial and unlawful union actions.”

It further charged the Federal Ministry of Justice and NEPZA to ensure full enforcement and compliance with the provisions of Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act in all relevant Free Zone operations.

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Debt dispute: Drama as Max Air pilot refuses to fly

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Drama unfolded at Maiduguri International Airport on Monday as over 100 Max Air’s passengers of were left stranded for hours due to a face-off between the airline’s pilots and management over unpaid debts.

The incident caused panic and confusion among travellers who had already boarded the aircraft and were awaiting departure.

According to an eyewitness who refused to give her name for fear of the unknown, the pilots refused to proceed with the flight, which the flight attendants blamed solely on the pilot’s unpaid entitlements.

This shocking development held the scheduled airline to ransom for some hours, sparking tension among the passengers, with the development forcing them to disembark in frustration after being informed of the dispute and refusal of the pilot to fly.

Another eyewitness who gave his name simply as Shola told The PUNCH that the pilots were protesting unresolved financial issues with the airline.

The traveller who was aboard the affected flight confirmed that boarding had been completed when the airline staff members suddenly instructed passengers to leave the aircraft and return to the terminal.

“We had all taken our seats and were waiting to take off when they asked us to disembark,” the source said.

According to the same source, passengers waited for several hours in uncertainty before the matter was eventually resolved.

“There was tension initially, but after some time, we were told the issue had been settled. We were later asked to re-board the aircraft,” the traveller said.

Confirming the development, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident, adding that the dispute appeared to have been resolved amicably by both parties without regulatory intervention.

“The flight later departed around past 2:00 pm, which means the issue was resolved. Since it was an internal matter, and the aircraft eventually flew, we consider it closed.”

The NCAA spokesman said. “We typically don’t intervene in salary-related disputes unless a formal report is submitted.”

He further emphasised that while the NCAA regulates safety and operational standards, issues such as wage disputes between staff and management are typically handled internally by the airline unless safety is compromised.

Max Air’s Executive Director, Shehu Wada, also confirmed the development, describing it as a result of miscommunication.

“It is a communication gap issue, and it has been resolved. That is how I can describe it basically,” he said.

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Petrol tops Nigeria’s imports with 613.6m litres in one year

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Nigerians consumed a total of 613.62 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, for transportation, power generation, and other domestic uses between October 2024 and October 10, 2025.

This is according to fresh data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority obtained by our correspondent on Monday in Abuja.

Despite the ramp-up in operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local plants, imported petrol still accounted for a larger share of the country’s total fuel supply during the period under review.

Out of the total 613.62 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit consumed between October 2024 and October 10, 2025, the NMDPRA data revealed that 236.08 million litres were supplied by domestic refineries, while 377.54 million litres came through imports.

The figures indicate that imported petrol still accounted for the bulk of Nigeria’s fuel needs within the period, with imports dominating supply, contributing about 63 per cent of Nigeria’s PMS needs.

While local refineries, led by the 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, provided the remaining 37 per cent, marking a significant improvement from the previous year’s levels.

The NMDPRA data further indicated that domestic production rose steadily from 9.62 million litres per day in October 2024 to 18.93 million litres per day by October 2025, showing a near 100 per cent increase within the one-year period.

Conversely, import volumes declined sharply from 46.38 million litres per day in October 2024 to 15.11 million litres per day in October 2025, reflecting a 67 per cent drop.

A monthly breakdown of the data revealed a steady decline in petrol importation and a gradual rise in local supply. Import volumes dropped from 46.38 million litres in October 2024 to 36.39 million litres in November and 38.90 million litres in December.

By January 2025, import figures had fallen further to 24.15 million litres, and though there were slight fluctuations in subsequent months – 26.79 million litres in February, 25.19 million litres in March, and 23.73 million litres in April – imports rebounded temporarily to 37.37 million litres in May.

Thereafter, volumes declined again, with 28.54 million litres imported in June, 35.07 million litres in July, 20.66 million litres in August, 19.26 million litres in September, and a year-low of 15.11 million litres as of October 10, 2025.

In contrast, domestic refining output showed notable improvement within the same period, rising from 9.62 million litres in October 2024 to 19.36 million litres in November and 13.13 million litres in December.

The upward trend continued into 2025, with local supply climbing to 22.66 million litres in January and 22.42 million litres in February and maintaining over 20 million litres in both March (20.65 million litres) and April (20.35 million litres).

Though there were minor dips to 17.85 million litres in May, 17.82 million litres in June, and 16.50 million litres in July, output surged again to 21.19 million litres in August before stabilising at 18.93 million litres in October 2025.

The figures reflect a gradual but significant shift in Nigeria’s fuel supply structure, with local refineries, particularly the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, steadily closing the gap on imports within just one year of operation.

The document further showed that total petrol supply averaged 46.6 million litres per day, comprising 29.5 million litres from imports and about 17.1 million litres from local production.

The reduction in petrol imports has also eased pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserves, as the country spends less on importing refined products. Previously, importers required billions of dollars monthly to settle letters of credit and cover freight and insurance costs.

However, the report noted fluctuations in overall supply, with volumes dipping from 55.21 million litres in May 2025 to 34.04 million litres in October 2025, a sign that logistical constraints and periodic maintenance still affect consistent nationwide distribution.

Oil and gas analysts say the improvement coincides with the first full year of operations of the Dangote Refinery, which began large-scale production earlier in 2025 and now contributes between 15 and 20 million litres of PMS daily to the domestic market.

Since its commissioning in May 2023 and subsequent ramp-up through 2024, the Dangote Refinery has been under global scrutiny as the flagship of Nigeria’s industrial revival agenda.

In its first year of sustained operation, the refinery’s growing output has reshaped Nigeria’s fuel supply structure, reduced foreign exchange exposure, and rekindled confidence in local refining after decades of failed turnarounds at the government-owned Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.

Commenting, the Chief Executive Officer of Petroleum.ng, Olatide Jeremiah, said that Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity has recorded remarkable progress in the past year, with the Dangote Refinery now supplying about 40 per cent of the country’s daily petrol consumption.

Speaking in reaction to new supply data released by the NMDPRA, the analyst said the progress underscores the growing impact of local refineries on Nigeria’s energy security.

He, however, stressed that the Dangote Refinery and other local refiners require uninterrupted access to crude oil in naira to scale up production and reduce pump prices nationwide.

“The fact that import remains the country’s major source of refined products shows that there are still unresolved issues. In the last year, domestic supply championed by Dangote Refinery has made tremendous progress with about 40 per cent of our daily consumption. Dangote Refinery needs 100 per cent access to crude in naira to increase domestic supply and drive down prices at the pump,” he said.

He lamented that despite being Africa’s biggest crude oil producer and host to the continent’s largest refinery, Nigeria still imports about 60 per cent of its daily petrol needs, a situation he described as inconsistent with the country’s energy potential.

The Petroleum.ng chief urged the Federal Government and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to strengthen policies that guarantee local refineries full access to domestic crude supply.

“Nigeria, the biggest producer of crude in Africa with the biggest refinery in Africa, should not be importing about 60% of its daily fuel consumption; thus, our pump prices should be amongst the lowest in the world.

The FG, through NUPRC, should continue to formulate frameworks that would allow local refiners access to crude 100 per cent. For me, that’s the recipe for availability and affordability,” he added.

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