Once again, CBN MPC keeps interest rate at 26.5%

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) maintained its benchmark interest rate at 26.5 percent for the second time.

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the 306th meeting of the committee in Abuja.

Cardoso said, “The committee decided as follows: maintain the monetary policy rate at 26.5 percent.”

The move follows previous MPC guidance, and a 50 basis point cut announced in February 2026.

The Committee also maintained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 45.0% for Bank Money Deposits, 16.0% for Merchant Banks, and 75% for non-TSA public sector deposits, while the Liquidity Ratio was maintained at 30.0%.

This latest decision signals the committee’s preference to maintain existing monetary policy measures while monitoring inflation developments, exchange rate stability and broader macroeconomic conditions.