Nigeria TV Info

With just 200 days to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) March 31, 2026 recapitalisation deadline, banks are stepping up efforts to meet the new capital requirements. Lenders are pursuing mergers and acquisitions, alongside raising fresh funds through rights issues and public offers, as part of moves to strengthen balance sheets and safeguard market share.

The countdown has ignited heightened activity across the financial sector, with institutions racing not only to meet regulatory targets but also to secure a stronger competitive edge in Africa’s largest economy.

At the outset, the recapitalisation exercise revealed a funding gap of about ₦4.1 trillion. So far, banks have closed this shortfall by raising ₦2.8 trillion.

Under the new thresholds, international banks are required to raise their capital base to ₦500 billion, national banks to ₦200 billion, and regional banks to ₦50 billion. The CBN says the reforms are designed to reinforce financial stability and build resilience against persistent macroeconomic shocks.