CBN concludes banking recapitalisation with ₦4.65trn raised

The Central Bank of Nigeria has completed its sweeping banking sector recapitalisation programme, with lenders raising ₦4.65 trillion in fresh capital to strengthen financial system stability and support economic growth.

Launched in March 2024, the exercise represents one of the most significant capital enhancement efforts in Nigeria’s banking history, aimed at reinforcing banks’ capacity to absorb economic shocks and expand lending to the real sector.

In a statement jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, the apex bank stated, “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of ₦4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”

The programme drew strong investor confidence, with 72.55 per cent of the funds sourced domestically and 27.45 per cent from international markets.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso noted that the recapitalisation has substantially bolstered the capital base of Nigerian banks, positioning the financial system to better support economic growth.

“The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks,” he said.

According to the CBN, 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements under the programme, while a few institutions remain under regulatory and judicial review. Despite ongoing processes, the apex bank assured that all banks remain fully operational, with no disruption to banking services throughout the exercise.

The regulator stated that the recapitalisation has improved capital adequacy ratios across the sector, keeping banks above global Basel benchmarks, with minimum thresholds retained at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for those with international licences.

The move signals a renewed push by regulators to deepen financial stability, improve asset quality, and enhance transparency in bank balance sheets, particularly as Nigeria navigates economic uncertainties.

The CBN also tightened its risk-based supervisory framework, mandating stress testing and stronger capital buffers to safeguard gains from the recapitalisation programme.

The Central Bank added that the successful completion of the exercise positions the banking sector to better mobilise savings, support credit growth, and absorb both domestic and global financial shocks.

The programme was implemented without disruption to banking operations, underscoring what the regulator described as a stable and orderly transition.

The CBN reiterated its commitment to maintaining a transparent and resilient financial system capable of inspiring confidence among depositors and investors while sustaining long-term economic growth.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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