The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, announced plans to urge Deposit Money Banks to bolster their capital base to support President Bola Tinubu’s envisioned $1 trillion economy.
Addressing the audience as the special guest of honor at the 58th Annual Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in Lagos, Cardoso underscored the ambitious economic agenda set by the President during the 370th Bankers’ Committee meeting.
The administration aims to achieve a substantial GDP growth, targeting the $1 trillion milestone within the next seven years.
“Attaining this target necessitates sustainable and inclusive economic growth at a significantly higher pace than current levels. It is crucial to evaluate the adequacy of our banking industry to serve the envisioned larger economy.
“It is not just about its current stability. We need to ask ourselves, can Nigerian banks have sufficient capital relative to the finance system needs in servicing a $1tn economy in the near future, in my opinion, the answer is no, unless we take action. As a first test, the central bank will be directing banks to increase their capital.
He also blamed the recent negative perception of the apex bank on corporate governance failure, diminished independence and deviation from the core mandate, inefficient forex rules, and venture into development financing.
He added, “The removal of petrol subsidy and the adoption of a floating exchange rate and other government policies are anticipated to have a positive effect on the economy in the medium term.
“These measures are expected to enhance investors’ confidence, attract capital inflow, stimulate domestic investors and ultimately improve the level of external reserves. Additionally, they are expected to contribute to the stability of the local economy.
“Despite the challenging global and local economic environment, Nigeria’s financial sector has demonstrated resilience in 2023 with key indications of financial soundness largely meeting regulatory benchmarks.
“Stress test conducted on the banking industry also indicates its strength under mild to moderate scenario on sustained economic and financial stress. Although there is room for further strengthening and enhancing resilience to shocks. Therefore, there is still much to be done in fortifying the industry for future challenges.”
Cardoso also noted that the previous forex ban on those 43 items widened the gap between official and parallel market rates.
Speaking on the activities of the CBN before his appointment, Cardoso stated that the quasi-fiscal policies of his predecessor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, resulted in N10tn being pumped into the economy through intervention programmes.
He said,”I am aware that events over the past few years have also put the CBN in a bad light. These issues can be attributed to various factors, such as corporate governance failures, diminished institutional autonomy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a deviation from the core mandate of the Bank, unorthodox use of monetary tools, an inefficient and opaque foreign exchange market that hindered clear access, a foray into fiscal activities under the cover of development finance activities. There was also a lack of clarity in the relationship between fiscal and monetary policies, among other challenges.
“Hitherto, the CBN had strayed from its core mandates and was engaged in quasi-fiscal activities that pumped over N10tn into the economy through almost different initiatives in sectors ranging from agriculture, aviation, power, youth and many others. These clearly distracted the bank from achieving its own objectives and took it into areas where it clearly had limited expertise.”
The apex bank boss however promised that the issues affecting the bank would be tackled under his watch.
He said, “Under my leadership, the Central Bank of Nigeria will vigorously address these issues. We will tackle institutional deficiencies, restore corporate governance, strengthen regulations, and implement prudent policies. We assure investors and the business community that the economy will experience significant stability in the short-to-medium term as we recalibrate our policy toolkits and implement far-reaching measures.”
The President/Chairman-of-Council at the CIBN, Ken Opara, in his welcome address, pointed out that governors of the CBN as the guest speaker had historically used the platform to share perspectives on economic and financial market development in the current year and provide insights into its economic outlook for the year ahead.
Opara went on to highlight some of the initiatives from the CBN since Cardoso took office and stated that there was still much to do.
“It is important to mention that within the short time in office, the Central Bank governor has activated some key initiatives aimed at repositioning and stabilising the economy.
“I will mention a few, focusing on the core monetary mandate of price and exchange rate stability, the unification of the exchange rate, and initiating steps to improve liquidity in the foreign exchange market, therefore achieving real positive change.
“We are on a journey and we are not yet there but we believe that we are progressing as we are not oblivious of the inflationary pressure that has intensified and has reached a high of an all-time high of 27.33 per cent in October 2023 while the exchange rate continues to rise. We believe that the focus should continue to be on reforms and incentives that will boost non-oil export revenue as well as attract Diaspora and foreign portfolio investment.
Lagos governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner of Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, in his goodwill message said, “In the last few months, we have witnessed what have been described as the new dawn in the management of our monetary policy and fiscal policy in line with the renewed hope agenda of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
“I am confident that in the first full fiscal year of this administration and the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria under Dr Yemi Cardoso, these anticipated positive impacts of the monetary and fiscal policies of the new administration will fully manifest in our macro and micro economic indices, most importantly, for us as politicians, in the living conditions of our people.”
