WED APRIL 01 2026-theGBJournal| The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially concluded its sweeping banking sector recapitalisation programme, with lenders collectively raising an impressive N4.65 trillion over the 24-month period (from March 2024) to bolster their capital buffers and reinforce system-wide stability.
The exercise marks a significant milestone in the regulator’s ongoing efforts to enhance the resilience, competitiveness, and shock-absorption capacity of Nigeria’s financial system amid evolving macroeconomic pressures.
The CBN said the programme recorded strong participation from both domestic and international investors, with 72.55% of capital sourced locally and 27.45% from international markets, reflecting sustained confidence in the Nigerian banking sector.
“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,” said the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso while announcing the close of the exercise.
The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme. A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
”All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers,” the CBN said.
The programme has strengthened capital adequacy ratios (CAR), with the sector maintaining levels above international Basel benchmarks. Minimum CAR thresholds remain at 10% for regional and national banks and 15% for banks with international authorization.
The CBN noted that the recapitalisation, implemented alongside an orderly exit from regulatory forbearance, has improved asset quality, reinforcing balance sheet transparency and overall financial system stability.
To safeguard these gains, the CBN has strengthened its risk-based capital adequacy framework, requiring banks to conduct regular stress testing across defined scenarios and maintain appropriate capital buffers.
Key regulatory measures, including prudential guidelines and the supervisory framework, are subject to periodic review to support ongoing strengthening of governance, risk management, and sector resilience.
The CBN also noted that the recapitalisation programme was carried out without disruption to banking services, ensuring continuous access for individuals and businesses throughout the process.
The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks, the apex bank said.
The Central Bank of Nigeria reiterates that it remains committed to maintaining a stable, transparent, andresilient financial system that inspires confidence among depositors, investors, and the broader public, and to advancing the sustainability of the nation’s financial architecture.
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