30 banks meet CBN recapitalisation requirements.

fewer than 30 commercial and merchant banks in Nigeria have met the new recapitalisation requirements set by the Central Bank of Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s banking sector. The policy, introduced to boost the financial capacity of banks, requires lenders to raise their capital base to new minimum thresholds depending on their licence category.

The apex bank had earlier directed financial institutions to increase their capital to enable them to support larger transactions, improve resilience against economic shocks, and enhance the stability of Nigeria’s financial system. Under the recapitalisation framework, international banks are expected to raise their capital base to about ₦500 billion, while national and regional banks have lower thresholds based on their scope of operations.

Industry experts say the development indicates strong investor confidence in the banking sector, as several institutions have already raised fresh funds through rights issues, public offers, and private placements. Analysts also believe the recapitalisation exercise will likely trigger mergers and acquisitions among smaller banks, while positioning stronger institutions to play a bigger role in financing Nigeria’s economic growth.