Senate lauds CBN for policies on improved economy for six months
File of Nigerian Senate
Senate lauds CBN for policies on improved economy for six months
The Senate has praised the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for encouraging developments in the Nigerian financial and monetary landscape within the last six months.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during a statutory engagement with the Governor of the apex bank, Mr Yemi Cardoso, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru said that the engagement became important for the promotion of transparency, adherence to statutory mandates, and effective policy communication.
Senator Abiru, who noted that the financial and monetary policies of CBN within the last six months have shown remarkable improvements in the Nigerian economy, said: “Since our last meeting in December 2024, there have been encouraging developments in the Nigerian financial and monetary landscape.
“These include a moderation in the inflation rate beginning in January 2025—down to 22.97% in May from 23.71% in April; a gradual accretion to external reserves; as well as relative stability in the exchange rate, with a significant convergence between the official and parallel market rates.
“These outcomes reflect improved confidence in the foreign exchange market, supported by the Bank’s reform measures such as the FX Matching System and FX Code designed to deepen market transparency and discipline.
“This committee also commends the CBN Monetary Policy Committee for maintaining the Monetary Policy Rate at 27.50% in its February and May 2025 meetings—marking a deliberate pause to the rate hikes witnessed in 2024, signalling a more balanced approach in managing inflation and supporting growth.
“The committee acknowledges the CBN’s recent limited but flexible regulatory forbearance granted to Deposit Money Banks as part of its support for the ongoing – capitalization exercise.
“This policy, while carefully crafted to avoid systemic risk, reflects a pragmatic approach by the Bank to ease transitional burdens on financial institutions.
“In addition, the renewal of the bilateral currency swap agreement between Nigeria and China is commendable. This not only reinforces bilateral trade settlements in local currencies but also aligns with the Bank’s wider strategy to diversify Nigeria’s external reserves and reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar.”
“The committee also notes the launch of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) framework by the CBN, a step that aims to improve Know-Your-Customer (KYC) standards for Nigerians and account holders abroad.
“This initiative is critical for expanding the reach of formal banking services and ensuring financial system integrity in an increasingly globalized economy.”
Abiru, however, stressed that other areas would seriously require improvement which will be discussed with the CBN governor at the executive session.
Before the executive session, the CBN governor said: “To support the vision for the $1 trillion GDP by 2030, the Bank initiated a forward-looking recapitalization of the banking sector as a potent catalyst for driving this vision.”
