The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday lowered its benchmark interest rate for the second time in five months, trimming the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 26.5 percent, a move aimed at supporting growth amid moderating inflation.
The decision was announced by Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the apex bank, at the end of the two-day Monetary Policy Committee meeting held in Abuja.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased to 15.10 percent in January 2026, down slightly from 15.15 percent in December 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The moderation has strengthened expectations that the CBN may begin a gradual easing cycle after months of aggressive tightening.
