Nigeria holds benchmark interest rate at 14 pct

Nigeria's central bank governor Godwin Emefiele speaks during the monthly Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja, Nigeria January 26, 2016. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File Photo

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's central bank held its benchmark interest rate at 14 percent, its governor said on Tuesday, following a Monetary Policy Committee meeting. All 15 analysts polled last week said rates would be held at 14 percent in Nigeria, with cuts of up to 100 basis points expected in either July or September 2018. [nL8N1NM428] (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by Alexander Winning)