Achieving Price Stability in Nigeria: Monetary Policy Rate Approach vs. Foreign Exchange Policy Approach

Abstract

Earlier studies have reached a consensus that monetary policies generate more economic activities than fiscal policies in developing economies. This study has bridged the existing gaps in earlier studies by addressing the question of which of the instruments of macroeconomics is more effective in achieving price stability remains largely unanswered. The study observed that the presence of exogenous factor was responsible for the inability of the tight monetary policies of the CBN to mob excess liquidity from the economy. In the same vein, the exogenous factor destabilizes the steady economic growth that would have emanated from a relaxed monetary policy. The study also found foreign exchange rates (fx) to be a more effective instrument to achieving price stability than monetary policy rates (mpr). The Nigerian economy is largely import dependent with most of the importation being consumable goods and services and less of productive (capital) goods. The impact of changes in fx are more pronounced on the economy than changes in the interest rates. The attainment of price stability would become feasible if the apex bank accords priority to the formulation and deployment of foreign exchange policies that are sound in principle and effective in practice.