Money Supply, technically known as M2 in financial circle is now N50. 5 trillion according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and it is the highest level ever reported for one of important monetary related statistics by the CBN or any central bank in the world.
The increase in money supply was N1.26 trillion in October alone, the third highest month after April and May this year.
This shows the amount of money supply in the country has risen by N6.1 trillion this year alone having closed at N44.4 trillion at the end of 2021. The increase is on track to beat the N6.6 trillion achieved in the whole of 2021.
its important to note that an increase in the level of money supply in an economy is meant to deliver two major actions.
It helps spur economic growth in the country as an increase in the supply of money in a depressed economy or one experiencing recession is often seen as a remedy.
On the other hand, excessive money supply growth can trigger galloping inflation in any country forcing a reversal of strategy.
While Nigeria has avoided a recession, the country is experiencing rising inflation which suggests that excessive money supply is a major concern that requires urgent fixing.
But it should also be noted that the amount of money in supply has accumulated over the years largely due to the low-interest policy of the CBN (adopted to spur economic growth), trillions of naira in CBN intervention funds, and CBN bailouts of federal and state governments via its Ways and Means powers. The result is too much naira chasing dollars.
The money supply is largely made up of currency outside banks, demand deposits with banks, and investments.
According to the data from the CBN, Quasi money which is money invested in liquid assets is about N29.2 trillion.
Demand deposits, which are money held by banks on behalf of their customers are about N18.4 trillion. Demand deposits contributed N3.3 trillion to the N6.1 trillion rise experienced this year.
Currency outside banks is about N2.8 trillion.
The central bank’s monetary policy committee is set to meet on Monday and Tuesday, the 21st and 22nd of November respectively.
The apex bank will likely respond to the latest data from the NBS which revealed the inflation rate at above 21%.
The apex bank will consider the rising money supply in whatever decision it makes at the committee meeting. As stated, the money supply rose again in October despite efforts to curb it.
Nearly all the N1.2 trillion increase in money supply for October came from Quasi money.
Responding to another bout of higher monetary policy rates as well as raising CRR should not be unexpected
