Connect with us

Business

Assessing Cardoso’s First Year as CBN Governor: Achievements and Challenges

Published

on

On September 23, 2023, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso took office as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stepping into a challenging economic landscape following the resignation of his predecessor, Godwin Emefiele. Cardoso’s tenure has been marked by efforts to stabilize Nigeria’s volatile economy, amid the fallout from the removal of the petrol subsidy and the naira float policy, which contributed to inflation and a weakened naira.

Key Measures and Reforms

1. Bank Licensing and Expansion: Cardoso’s CBN issued several new banking licenses and approvals, including those for national commercial banks, non-interest banks, and microfinance institutions. The sector witnessed re-licensing of 53 previously revoked banks and new operational approvals for five finance companies.

2. Recapitalization and Regulatory Reforms: In November 2023, the CBN introduced new capital thresholds for banks, to be met by March 2026, along with guidelines for Bureau de Change operations. These measures aim to enhance foreign exchange distribution and oversight.

3. Consumer Protection: Under Cardoso’s leadership, the CBN resolved 76.58% of customer complaints and facilitated refunds totaling over N7 billion. The introduction of the Unified Complaints Tracking System and the We-FI Code sought to bridge the gender gap in financial inclusion.

4. Cybersecurity and AML Measures: The CBN implemented ISO 27001 standards and updated anti-money laundering frameworks to accommodate virtual assets and strengthen resilience against financial crimes.

5. Monetary Policy and FX Market: Cardoso’s CBN streamlined Nigeria’s FX market, addressing a $7 billion backlog in FX forwards and reducing volatility. External reserves increased to $37.9 billion by July 2024. The CBN also revised regulatory frameworks to support monetary policy and stabilize the financial system.

Economic Impact and Criticism

Despite these reforms, the Nigerian economy has faced severe challenges. The naira hit an all-time low, and inflation remained high, driving up food costs and deepening the financial struggles of citizens. Cardoso, however, remains optimistic, describing the situation as a “correctional” phase necessary for long-term transformation.

Experts like Dr. Muda Yusuf, Director General of the Center for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), commended Cardoso for improving corporate governance and transparency, particularly in foreign exchange transactions. However, Yusuf expressed concerns about the CBN’s extreme monetary tightening, which has hurt investment and financial intermediation, with interest rates soaring between 28% and 35%.

Yusuf also criticized the complete liberalization of the currency, arguing that some level of control is necessary for developing economies like Nigeria’s. He highlighted concerns over capital flight, corruption, and money laundering, which exacerbate pressure on the naira.

Future Outlook

Cardoso’s first year as CBN Governor has been a mixed bag of regulatory reforms and economic turbulence. While his efforts to restore confidence in Nigeria’s financial system have been noted, significant challenges remain, particularly in curbing inflation and stabilizing the naira. As Cardoso continues to implement his strategic plans, experts hope for more effective interventions to ease the burden on Nigerians and foster economic growth.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

CBN expresses commitment to FX Code

Published

on

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, stating that its operations align with the principles of the code.

 

In a statement signed by Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Deputy Governor of Economic Policy Mohammad Abdullahi, and Director of the Financial Markets Department Dr. Omolara Duke, the apex bank emphasized that its decision follows a review of the FX Global Code and recognition that the code represents a set of principles widely acknowledged as good practice in the foreign exchange market.

 

The statement confirmed that the CBN acts as a regulator to market participants as defined by the code and is committed to overseeing FX market activities in a manner consistent with its principles.

 

“To this end, the Bank has taken appropriate steps, based on the size and complexity of the FX Market, and therefore aligns its roles with the principles of the Code,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

Business

FG launches electronic asset register to boost investment

Published

on

The Federal Government has launched a national electronic assets register to provide real-time access to information on government-owned assets, aiming to enhance transparency and attract more investments into the country.

The digital registry was introduced by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, during an event that also featured the unveiling of a compendium of FAAC allocations to federal, state, and local governments from 2020 to 2023.

Madein described the initiative as a major milestone in improving public resource management, emphasizing that it is essential for financial sustainability and integrity. She stated that the project aligns with the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling public funds and assets.

She noted that giving citizens access to information about public asset management would increase government accountability. “Whether it is infrastructure, equipment, or other public property, every asset must be accounted for,” she said.

The real-time access provided by the digital register is expected to support policy formulation, budgeting, and planning. Madein explained that by having a clear understanding of the government’s assets and their conditions, policymakers can make more informed decisions on resource allocation, investment management, and potential privatisation or public-private partnerships (PPPs) for underutilized assets.

She added that the initiative also aligns with international best practices, supporting Nigeria’s adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). These standards will help strengthen the credibility and integrity of the country’s financial statements.

On the compendium of FAAC allocations, Madein stated that it provides a detailed breakdown of revenue distribution to the three tiers of government and serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.

Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Aniete, who officially unveiled the compendium, praised the Accountant General’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability. She described the electronic asset register as an important tool that will help determine the real value of Nigeria’s assets and create opportunities for local and foreign investment.

Continue Reading

Business

Tariff increase will push available power generation to 7,000MW — Minister

Published

on

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the proposed electricity tariff increase will help boost Nigeria’s available power generation capacity to 7,000 megawatts (MW). This comes after the country recorded its highest-ever available power generation of 6,003MW and a peak evacuation of 5,801.84MW last week.

 

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu emphasized that tariff regularization is crucial for unlocking the sector’s full potential and sustaining ongoing improvements in power generation and distribution.

 

“To sustain these improvements, the government would have to pay down the tariff shortfalls of N1.94 trillion for 2024 and address legacy debts of N2 trillion to the GENCOs,” the minister said. He added that continued tariff reforms are necessary to ensure that consumers start paying for the energy they consume.

 

Adelabu reiterated the government’s intention to raise electricity tariffs for customers in Bands B, C, and D as part of efforts to enhance the sector’s liquidity and reduce subsidy obligations. The planned tariff hike is expected to narrow the gap between Band A customers—who currently pay higher rates—and those in lower bands.

 

The minister noted that Nigeria recently set another milestone with a daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), attributing these achievements to ongoing reforms and infrastructural upgrades in the sector.

 

“We are thrilled to announce these historic milestones in Nigeria’s power sector,” Adelabu stated. “These achievements represent a brighter future where businesses can thrive, households can enjoy uninterrupted power supply, and the economy can grow sustainably.”

 

According to the minister, recent improvements result from collaborative efforts by the Federal Ministry of Power and key stakeholders to address longstanding challenges in the sector. These include the rehabilitation and upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, implementation of innovative technologies to enhance efficiency, and policy reforms aimed at improving accountability and sustainability.

 

While celebrating these milestones, Adelabu called for continued support from state governments, private sector stakeholders, and the general public. He stressed the need for collective action to sustain the momentum and build upon the progress made.

 

With power generation at a record high and tariff reforms on the horizon, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria’s electricity supply will see lasting improvements, ensuring stable and reliable power for businesses and households nationwide.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.