The Digest:
Under the Central Bank of Nigeria's revised capital requirement policy, several Nigerian banks have secured their operational licences ahead of the March 2026 deadline. Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, GTBank, UBA, and Zenith Bank have met the ₦500 billion paid-up capital threshold for international licences. Banks, including FCMB, Wema Bank, Standard Chartered, Citibank Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank, Globus Bank, and Premium Trust Bank, have secured national licences, requiring ₦200 billion in capital. The recapitalisation drive aims to strengthen the banking sector and support Nigeria's economic growth ambitions.
Key Points:
- Customers of internationally licensed banks gain access to stronger, more resilient institutions with enhanced cross-border service capabilities.
- The recapitalisation is expected to increase lending capacity for large-scale projects, potentially stimulating economic activity.
- Banks that secured international licences gain a competitive advantage and market confidence, while nationally licensed banks face growth constraints.
- This tiered licensing reflects the CBN's strategy to segment the banking sector by systemic importance and risk profile.
- The approaching deadline creates urgency for remaining banks to raise capital, avoid downgrades, or consider consolidation.
Sources: Daily Post Nigeria
