The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the successful conclusion of its banking sector recapitalisation programme, with a total of ₦4.65 trillion raised to strengthen the country’s financial system.
The programme, which lasted 24 months from March 2024 to March 2026, is regarded as one of the most significant capital-raising exercises in Nigeria’s banking history.
According to the CBN, the recapitalisation exercise attracted strong investor confidence, with 72.55% of the funds sourced locally and 27.45% from international investors, reflecting sustained trust in Nigeria’s financial sector.
The apex bank confirmed that 33 commercial banks met the new minimum capital requirements, while a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes. However, all licensed banks remain fully operational, with no disruption to customer services throughout the exercise.
CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, stated that the recapitalisation has significantly strengthened the capital base of banks, improved financial stability, and positioned the sector to better withstand economic shocks and support national growth.
The initiative also improved capital adequacy ratios across the sector, aligning Nigerian banks with global standards and enhancing their capacity to support lending, savings mobilisation, and economic expansion.
