Nigeria is at a pivotal moment in its economic journey. With the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) enforcing new minimum capital requirements for banks by March 2026, the financial sector is being reshaped to better support national growth. This policy aims to strengthen banks’ resilience, boost lending capacity, and align with Nigeria’s ambition to become a US$1 trillion economy by 2030.
Before the CBN introduced the new capital requirements in March 2024, many Nigerian banks were operating with a low capital requirement—a minimum capital base of ₦25 billion, about US$16.5 million at today’s value. The new thresholds—₦500 billion for international banks, ₦200 billion for national banks, and ₦50 billion for regional banks—are driving a wave of recapitalisation, positioning the sector to finance large-scale projects and absorb economic shocks.
This is a strategic opportunity to transform Nigeria’s financial system into a driver of inclusive and sustainable development.
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