Business
Bello Promises Regular Meeting With Market Stakeholders
The Acting Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ibrahim Bolaji Bello, has promised to sustain the meeting with stakeholders of the Nigerian Capital market as a strategy to stabilise the market.
According to Bello, regular parley with stakeholders form part of his mandate, adding that his immediate priority is to stabilise the market.
Speaking in Lagos during his maiden meeting with the major operators in the market, Bello said his mandate from the Federal Government was to stabilise the market and put it back on the path of growth.
He also used the opportunity to appeal to stakeholders for support, adding that his intention is to implement his mandate in collaboration with stakeholders.
The SEC boss was quoted in a press statement as saying that other measures to stabilise the market include “immediate restoration of Registration Meetings, where new operators (individuals and firms) would be registered to operate in the market, as well as immediate inspection of existing firms to ensure that they comply with laid down rules and regulation in the market”.
The statement said: “Both tools of regulation (registration and inspection), have been suspended for over one year and they are tools to ensure that only ‘fit and proper’ operators operate in the market”.
Besides, Bello said the commission would immediately embark on investors’ education to ensure that investors know their right and adopt better ways of investing in the market to further protect their investment, pointing out that a well educated investor is a well protected investor.
“Our quick win strategies would include those strategies that would restore investor confidence in the market as well as bring more investors. So, for the first time, we will do registration meeting in Lagos next week. This is the first time the registration meeting is taken outside of Abuja to Lagos. This is to cater for the operators in Lagos and its environs in the south, while others in Abuja and the North will have theirs in Abuja in the following week.
“This will also reduce cost for the operators, many of which have been recording declining income in recent times. However, there is also opportunity for special registration window, especially for operators that would want it outside the normal time we intend to have it, but such operators would have to come to Abuja.
“We shall also embark on inspection of dealing houses to ensure that they comply with laid down rules and regulation in their operations”, said Bello.
Apart from the management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) led by its Chief Executive, Oscar Onyeama, others that met with Bello at the weekend in Lagos, included the executive of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) led by its President, Murtala Ariyo Olusekun, leaders of the Association of Stockbroking Houses Owners of Nigeria (ASHON) led by its President, Emeka Madubuike and the leaders of the National Association of the Securities Dealers (NASD) led by its Chairman, Olutola Mobolurin, who is also a former president of CIS.
Others included Henry Olayemi, Mike Itegbogie, Dipo Aina and Dipo Williams who have also presided over the CIS in the past as well as the Registrar and Chief Executive of CIS, Mr. Oluwatoyin Olorunleke and the first Deputy President of CIS, Emmanuel Ohanwusi.
Also, the various trade groups in the market met with the acting SEC DG in another separate meeting, where Bello re-affirmed his mandate and appealed for their support. The groups included registrars and Institute of Capital Market Registrars led by its President, Bayo Olugbemi, Portfolio Managers, Trustees and Investment Advisers among others.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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