Appraisal Of Open Market Operation As A Tool In Controlling Inflation
(Case Study In Nigerian)
Open Market Operations (OMO) serve as a crucial tool in central banks’ efforts to control inflation. Through OMO, a central bank can influence the money supply and, subsequently, interest rates in the economy. In the context of inflation control, the central bank may engage in either expansionary or contractionary OMO. In times of rising inflation, a central bank might opt for a contractionary approach by selling government securities in the open market. This action reduces the money supply, leading to higher interest rates and curbing excessive spending. Conversely, during periods of low inflation, an expansionary OMO involves the central bank purchasing securities, injecting money into the economy, and lowering interest rates to stimulate spending. By fine-tuning the money supply, open market operations offer central banks a powerful instrument to achieve their inflation targets and maintain economic stability.
This project work seeks to do an appraisal of open market operation as a tool in controlling inflation in Nigeria. The three objectives of the study includes: To find out the extent to which open market operation has helped in controlling inflation in Nigeria, to access the problems encountered in using open market operation as a tool in controlling inflation and to make meaningful recommendation. The sample size was 152 from the Central Bank of Nigeria Okpara Avenue Enugu Sample techniques were the systematic controls, the researchers used in carrying out the work. Method of data collection was the questionnaires used to derive information from the various respondents to which includes both senior and junior staffs. In validity the researchers’ submitted their instruments to the three experts after going through it approved that the instrument was suitable for what the researchers are seeking. The method of analysis was the percentage. The findings entails that through the selling of securities to commercial banks inflation can be controlled. Buying of the securities from the commercial banks is a means of controlling inflation in Nigeria and through the control of liquidity by the central bank. Government should go on with open market operation as a tool to control inflation, because this is the best monetary policy that has been employees. It should try to maintain the standard laid down rules, so that the desired targets should be attained. There should be a way for maintaining stable prices for food commodities or food stocks and other items.
Title Page – – – – i
Approval page – – – ii
Certification – – – – iii
Dedication – – – – iv
Acknowledgement – – – v
List of tables – – – – vi
Title of Contents – – – vii
Abstracts – – – – viii
CHAPTER I:
1.0 Introduction – – – 1
1.1 Background of the Study – – 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – 2
1.3 Purpose of the Study – – 4
1.4 Significant Of the Study – – 4
1.5 Research Questions – – 5
1. Scope of the Study – – 6
1.7 Limitations of the Study – – 6
1.8 Definitions of Terms – – 9
CHAPTER II
2.0 Review Of Related Literature – 9
2.1 Background of Adoption of Open Market
Operation by the Central Bank of Nigeria 9
2.2 Open market operation and its roles in
controlling inflation in Nigeria – 13
2.3 Open market as an instrument of monetary policy 15
2.4 Instrument of open Market Operation – 17
2.5 Instrument and Intermediate target variables 19
2.6 Institutional arrangement for formation and implementation of open market operation 33
2.7 Problem and prospect of an open market
operation in Nigeria – – 37
2.8 how open market operation relate to other
monetary instrument – – 38
2.9 the relationship between open market operation, government securities and discount houses 39
2.10 summary of Review – – 41
CHAPTER III
3.1 Research Design – – 43
3.2 Area of Study – – 44
3.3 Population of the Study – – 44
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique 44
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection – 45
3.6 Method of Data Collection – 45
3.7 Validation and Reliability of the Instrument 46
3.8 Method of Data Analysis – 46
CHAPTER IV
Data presentation and Analysis – – 47
CHAPTER V
5.1 Summary of Findings – – 57
5.2 Conclusions – – – 62
5.3 Recommendations – – – 63
5.4 Suggestions for Further Studies – 63
References – – – 65
Appendix – – – – 67
2.0 INTRODUCTION
In chapter one, in comprises the followings: Background of the study, statement of the problems purpose of the study significance of the study, Research questions, Scope of the study, Limitations of the study and definitions of terms.
1.1 Background of Study
In recent years, Nigeria has been under inflationary pressures, efforts made to limit the pressure have not produced good success.
This is because the higher the price of food items apart from other considerations have been the major cause of rising cost of living in the country and these increases prices of food items are as a result of inflationary pressures. Almost every family in Nigeria today felt the impact of high lost of items.
Inflation has been a global problem which no country has been able to find a solution to reduce or destroy it. This is the reason why economists are of the view that “Inflation spoils economic decisions” for the fact that no country has been able to solve the problem of inflation, it becomes so difficult to control it by the government.
This problem appeared as a mere threat at first but it later became a real economic problem, since then it has been repeatedly engaged the attention of governments of most countries.
Also, there has been no general agreement as to know how inflation can be controlled despite the level of the experience accumulated and the amount of energy and effort directed to it.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Over the years, various policy measures have been formulated and implemented to achieve macro-economic objectives of the economy.
Certain momentary instruments have also been employed to achieve those objectives such as economic growth control of inflation and reduction in money supply in the economy.
However, this policy measures have not yielded the desired impact so the federal government in 1993 adopted the use of open market as an indirect monetary policy has not yielded the much expected result of controlling inflation.
Thus, the question now is to what extent has open market operation (OMO) techniques ahs been able to over come the following:
a. The problem of monitoring and enforcing the desired target.
b. Are there any possible constraints and prospect in the use of open market operate in controlling inflation in Nigeria.
c. Obviously, it is the answer to these questions that is the focus of the study.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The function of many economic policy tools is the regulation of the economy. However, the economy resolves on the use of one market operation under the monetary policy as one of the economic policies to achieve prices stability in the economy. The major objective includes the following:
i. To find out the extent to which open market operation has help to control inflation in Nigeria.
ii To access the problems encountered in using open market operation as a tool in controlling inflation in Nigeria.
iii. To make meaningful recommendation.
1.3 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study lies on the point of view of beneficiaries, in this regard.
The project would be beneficial to the government, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the policy makers and other policy measures towards reducing and eradicating inflation in the Nigeria economy.
To the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) the study would as well guide towards better directions to the commercial banks.
To the policy makers, the result of this research work would guide them into formulating appropriate monetary policies that may have answer(s) to inflation in Nigeria.
The study would also serve as a guide to other researchers the area of monetary policy and other open market operations.
1.5 Research Questions
i. To what extent has open market operation helped in controlling inflation in Ngieira?
ii. What are the problems encountered in using open market operation in controlling inflation in Nigeria?
iii. Did open market operation have meaningful recommendations?
1.6 Scope of the Study
The researchers work covers the impact of open market operation (OMO) measure, on inflationary control in Nigeria economy as from (1993 – 2008).
1.7 Limitation of the Study
Every human policy has its permanent weakness and strength or limitations. The major limitations on the researcher are as follows:
i. It was not easy for researchers to get all the necessary materials for carrying this research work. This is because, the researchers found it very difficult to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) the researcher were either told by the receptionist that the librarian was not on seat or that he went for a seminar.
ii. Some research was also carried in the internet and the researchers could not find all the necessary materials for this research work
iii. The researchers did not find easy to collect materials from African Economic research and African Institute for Applied Economics.
iv. It was not possible or the researches to get all the necessary funds and resources which could have enabled them to achieve a better result, This is based on the fact that the researchers are students who solely depend on the little amount of money giving by the guardians.
v. Achievement of this study was also limited considering the transportation cost and other expenses involved
Hence, the operation coverage of the study was limited to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Office Statistics in Enugu.
Final, all these limited this research work towards the achievement of 100% success of the study.
1.8. Definition of Terms
i. Monetary policy is the type of policy used by Central Bank to reduce lending by commercial bank thereby reducing the amount of money in circulation.
ii. Open market operation involves the buying and selling of securities from and to commercial banks in order to increase or reduce the volume of money in circulation.
iii Inflation is the continuous rise in the price of good and service as a result of large volume of money in circulation used in the exchange of the available goods and services.
Also inflation is the persistence rise in general price level.
Open Market Operation As A Tool In Controlling Inflation:
Open Market Operations (OMOs) are a vital tool that central banks use to control inflation and manage the overall monetary policy of a country. Inflation refers to the increase in the general price level of goods and services over time. It erodes the purchasing power of money and can have negative effects on an economy if left unchecked. Here is an appraisal of Open Market Operations as a tool in controlling inflation:
1. Control Over Money Supply: Open Market Operations involve the buying and selling of government securities in the open market. When a central bank wants to control inflation, it can sell government securities to reduce the money supply in the economy. By decreasing the money supply, the central bank can help reduce aggregate demand, which can, in turn, reduce inflationary pressures. Conversely, when it wants to stimulate the economy, it can buy government securities to increase the money supply.
2. Precision: Open Market Operations are a precise tool for controlling inflation because they allow central banks to target specific interest rates and liquidity levels. This level of precision enables central banks to fine-tune their monetary policy to achieve their inflation targets.
3. Flexibility: Open Market Operations provide central banks with a high degree of flexibility. Central banks can adjust the volume and frequency of open market operations based on the changing economic conditions and inflationary pressures. This flexibility is crucial in responding to rapidly changing economic situations.
4. Transparency: Open Market Operations are relatively transparent operations. Central banks usually announce their intentions and actions in the open market, which provides clarity to financial markets and the public about their monetary policy stance. This transparency can help manage inflation expectations, which are a critical component of controlling inflation.
5. Market-Based: Open Market Operations rely on market forces to determine the outcomes. The central bank buys or sells securities in response to market demand, which can help maintain the efficiency and integrity of financial markets.
6. Impact on Interest Rates: Open Market Operations can influence short-term interest rates, such as the federal funds rate in the United States. By adjusting these rates, central banks can impact borrowing and lending throughout the economy, which can further influence inflationary pressures.
7. Challenges: While Open Market Operations are a powerful tool, they are not without challenges. One challenge is the lag between implementing Open Market Operations and seeing their effects on the economy. This lag can make it difficult to fine-tune monetary policy in response to rapidly changing inflationary pressures.
8. Effectiveness in Specific Circumstances: The effectiveness of Open Market Operations in controlling inflation depends on various factors, including the overall economic environment, the nature of inflation (cost-push or demand-pull), and the effectiveness of other policy tools like fiscal policy.
In conclusion, Open Market Operations are a crucial tool for central banks in controlling inflation. They offer precision, flexibility, and transparency in managing the money supply and influencing interest rates to achieve inflation targets. However, their effectiveness depends on various factors, and they are often used in conjunction with other monetary policy tools to combat inflation effectively.