Business
Varsity Wants 1% GDP Dedicated To STI
African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, has urged African countries to dedicate one per cent of their GDP to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to meet the African Union Agenda 2063.
The African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 year.
The agenda builds on and seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development.
The President of AUST, Prof. Kingston Nyanma-pfene, gave the advice last Tuesday in Abuja during the review of Africa Capacity Reports (ACRs) 2017 that focuses on building capacity in STI for Africa’s transformation.
According to him, African countries should even set a more ambitious target of up to three per cent of Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
He explained that ACRs supported the entrenchment of capacity development in Africa’s development agenda.
He said that each report was meant to narrate all the critical capacity dimensions that were pertinent to Africa’s growth and economic transformation.
“ The ACR2017 recognises that with the adoption of agenda 2063, the commitment of Africa to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Industrialisation Strategy, STI is critical.
“Furthermore, the 23rd Ordinary Session of African Union Heads of State and Government Summit adopted a 10-year Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (STSA2024) in June 2014.
“The strategy is part of the long-term people-centred Africa’s development blueprint, agenda 2063,” he said.
The president said that the ACRs2017 recommended coordinated collective effort to identify the critical STI skills essential for countries’ sustainable growth.
According to him, private sector and development partners ought to support and complement governments’ efforts by providing funding, investing in critical skills, and promoting sharing of good practices.
“Creating an enabling environment for local scientific research institutions and think-tanks to be the voice of scientific authority in Africa,’’ he said.
He said that regional database of critical skills for agenda 2063 ought to be established in support of STI from national skills inventories.
The president said that more regional and international Centres of Excellence in areas critical to Africa’s STI development ought to be created.
He said that there was need to develop institutional capacity by investing heavily in high-quality universities, state-of-the-art and well-equipped laboratories, ICT infrastructure and research funding.
According to him, the continent needs to intensify efforts toward bridging the gender gap by promoting participation and leadership by women in STI.
He added that the African countries ought to implement coherent strategies for regional STI systems as “nested networks” of national STI systems with differentiated capacities.
The Regional Director, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Mr Benoit Sossou, said that ACRs2017 would go a long way to assist African continent if the recommendations would be implemented.
Sossou, who was represented by Dr Enang Moma, the National Professional Officer, Science in UNESCO promised that the organisation would intensify efforts in sourcing for international financial donors to support Africa toward STI development.
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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