CBN Announces that 8 Banks Fulfills New Minmum Capital Requirements for Its Liscences…detsils
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced recently that eight banks have successfully fulfilled the new minimum capital requirements necessary for their licenses.
In response to the CBN’s recapitalization mandate, which is due by March 2026, banks began securing additional funds last year.
At a news conference in Abuja following the conclusion of the two-day Monetary Policy Committee meeting, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced that numerous banks have made considerable advancements in enhancing their capital base to meet the updated regulatory standards.
He said, “The MPC noted that eight banks have fully met the recapitalisation requirements, while others are making progress towards meeting the deadline.”
Commercial banks holding international licenses must ensure they have a minimum of N500 billion in share capital and share premium by March 31, 2026. In contrast, those with national banking licenses are required to maintain a minimum of N200 billion in share capital and share premium by the same deadline.
The initial fundraising efforts by banks achieved tremendous success, with most offerings receiving more subscriptions than available. In 2024, banks managed to raise over N2 trillion.
With the March 31, 2026 deadline approaching in less than nine months, numerous banks are gearing up to secure fresh capital. This includes several tier-1 banks that took part in the 2024 funding round and are now aiming to bridge the existing shortfall by the close of the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced that the recapitalization policy aims to guarantee the stability of the financial system, enhance the ability of banks to fund major economic initiatives, and adhere to international norms of risk-focused supervision.
Cardoso highlighted that the current recapitalization effort is strengthening the sector’s resilience, with major Financial Soundness Indicators (FSIs) consistently demonstrating stability.