CBN Plans N142billion Treasury Bills Auction on February 15

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Tuesday, February 7, said it plans to raise about N142.43 billion in short-dated Treasury bills at an auction on February 15.

The apex bank said it would raise N32.43 billion in three-month debt, 30 billion in six-month bills and 80 billion in one-year notes, using a Dutch auction system. Payment will be due the day after the auction, Reuters reports.

Nigeria issues Treasury bills to fund its budget deficit, manage banking system liquidity and curb rising inflation.

Last week, Nigeria raised a total of N302.4 billion in Treasury bills, more than the 242 billion planned due to strong demand for the one-year debt.

The CBN at the auction offered a yield above its benchmark interest rate to lure investors in the face of galloping inflation.

Its annual inflation rate rose in December to 18.55 per cent, its highest for more than 11 years and the eleventh straight monthly rise.