Business
Sack CBN Governor, Declare State of Emergency On Forex, 100 CSOs Tell Tinubu
Sack CBN Governor, Declare State of Emergency On Forex, 100 CSOs Tell Tinubu
…threatens mass action if Cardoso fails to vacate office within 72hrs
As many as 100 non-governmental organizations, under the aegis of Economic Freedom Fighters, Nigeria (EFFN), have demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu immediately sack the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso for his ineptitude and lack of direction and to also declare a state of emergency on the economy.
At a press conference held in Lagos at the weekend, the CSOs cited the current economic crisis in the country, which they claim has proven that the CBN under Cardoso’s leadership has no answers to the crushing economic crisis that has brought the naira to a lifetime low with resulting hardship on citizens.
They said President Tinubu no longer has the luxury of assuming or pretending that Cardoso is doing a sterling job at the CBN when the Governor himself is aware that he is a failure when it comes to the management of the naira.
The naira lost value to N1,360.00 to the dollar on Friday, and the falling value of the naira has had a significant impact on the quality of life of Nigerians. The rise in the cost of living, the decrease in purchasing power, and the decrease in foreign investment have all contributed to the economic crisis in the country, which has also resulted in existential upsurge in crimes especially kidnap for ransom.
“The Nigerian economy is in a dire state, and the CBN has failed to take the necessary steps to address the situation, instead the apex banker is mired in internal politics that do nothing to halt the suffering of Nigerians. Cardoso ought not to have accepted the appointment as the Governor of CBN when he knew he was clueless about what has to be done to save the naira,” said Dr Amodu Ben, Convener of EFFA.
“We call on President Tinubu to take immediate action and remove Mr Cardoso from his position as Governor of the CBN. We also urge the president to declare a state of emergency on the economy and take bold steps to address the root causes of the crisis now that it is apparent that Cardoso has no answers to this problem.
“It will be injustice for Nigerians to endure more days of Cardoso in office knowing full well that things have only gotten worse since he assumed office with no end in sight. Instead of the firm directions that Nigerians expected the CBN to come on board with, currency racketeering has taken over the operations of the CBN, including the foreign exchange market. The stories filtering out of the regulator is that friends, family, and associates of the Governor are getting forex allocations that are making them nouveau rich while the rest of Nigerians are sinking into poverty,” Dr Ben stated.
EFFN has threatened mass action if President Tinubu fails to remove Cardoso or if the CBN Governor fails to remove himself from office, saying that such mass action will take place within 72 hours from when it held its briefing.
The CSOs also criticized the CBN’s recent decision to relocate some of its departments to Lagos State, which they claim will further exacerbate the economic crisis in the country because the apex bank is focusing on petty internal politics to the detriment of the national economy. They called on the CBN to reverse its decision and focus on implementing policies that will help to stabilize the economy.
The Governor of the CBN has not yet responded to the CSOs’ demands, and it remains to be seen what action President Tinubu will take in response to the call for the removal of Mr Cardoso and the declaration of a state of emergency on the economy.
With the Nigerian economy being in a state of decline for the past few years and with the naira’s value plummeting and inflation rates skyrocketing, Cardoso’s arrival at the CBN was anticipated to at the least halt the economic slide.
Cardoso was appointed as CBN Governor when the naira was hovering below N1000 in September 2023 to the dollar threshold and the currency has since lost more than N400 since he resumed, prompting widespread anger and criticism about his ability to correctly diagnose what ails the Nigerian economy and proffer solutions.
Nigeria’s GDP growth rate fell to 1.9% in 2023, down from 2.2% in 2022 while the inflation rate, which has also been on the rise, hit 18.3% in December 2023, up from 16.5% in November 2023.
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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