Central Bank of Nigeria has cut the interest rate by 50 basis points to 26.50 percent from 27 percent.

The Governor of the bank, Olayemi Cardoso, announced this at a news conference after its 304th Monetary Policy Committee on Tuesday.

He said the decision was unanimously agreed upon by all members of MPC.

Cardoso said the committee retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 45 percent for commercial banks and 16 percent for merchant banks, while the 75 percent CRR on non-TSA public sector deposits was equally maintained.

The apex bank boss added that the liquidity ratio was retained at 30 percent, and the standing facilities corridor was adjusted to +50/-450 basis points around the monetary policy rate.

“The committee decided to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 26.50 percent,” he said.

In November 2025, the MPC retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.00 percent. The last time the apex bank cut interest was in September last year, from 27 percent to 27.50 percent.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s interest rate dropped in January to 15.10 percent from N15.15 percent.