Central Bank of Nigeria Launches NOFR Benchmark to Align with Global Financial Standards
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced the Nigerian Overnight Financing Rate (NOFR), a new benchmark interest rate aimed at enhancing transparency, improving price discovery, and strengthening monetary policy transmission across the country’s financial markets.
In a statement released on Friday by CBN spokesperson Hakama Sidi Ali, the apex bank said the new rate would ensure consistent pricing of money market instruments and promote greater efficiency in Nigeria’s financial system. The move places Nigeria alongside leading global economies that operate benchmark rates such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) in the United States, the Sterling Overnight Index Average (SONIA) in the United Kingdom, the Euro Short-Term Rate (€STR) in the Eurozone, and the Tokyo Overnight Average Rate (TONA) in Japan.
The NOFR initiative follows a stakeholder engagement session held on February 27, 2026, where financial market dealers formally adopted the benchmark. After regulatory approval, the rate is now operational, with the CBN serving as the benchmark administrator to ensure governance, transparency, and regular publication.
The development also aligns Nigeria with regional peers such as South Africa, which operates the Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (JIBAR). The CBN said the new benchmark would help Nigeria’s financial markets attract more international participation while supporting domestic economic stability.
The introduction of NOFR is part of broader efforts by the CBN to modernize Nigeria’s financial infrastructure and improve the effectiveness of its monetary policy tools. By adopting a globally recognized benchmark, the central bank aims to reduce reliance on outdated reference rates and mitigate risks associated with market volatility.
Market analysts have welcomed the initiative, noting that a standardized benchmark could boost investor confidence and facilitate more efficient capital allocation. The CBN has pledged to provide ongoing oversight and regular updates on the NOFR to ensure its credibility and relevance in Nigeria’s evolving financial landscape.
