Business
NDPHC Develops 16 Injection Sub-Stations In N’East
The Niger-Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has constructed and handed over 16 injection distribution sub-stations to Yola DisCo to further boost electricity supply to Nigerians in the North-East zone.
The Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr Chiedu Ugbo, disclosed this in Yola when he visited the Gov. Bindo Jibrilla of Adamawa.
Ugbo, who briefed the governor on the workings and various activities of NDPHC, said the company had also completed nine intervention electricity distribution projects across the region.
The managing director said NDPHC had been involved in developing National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in generation, transmission and distribution value chain in the country.
He also said NDPHC had also embarked on the development of solar electricity for households, adding that the company had successfully deployed about 20,000 units of solar technology in the first phase of the project.
Ugbo revealed that the completed 16 injection sub-stations, comprising 1×7.5MVA 33/11KV and the intervention projects, had been handed over to Yola DisCo to boost supply of electricity to its customers in the region.
He listed the locations of the projects to include Mubi, Numan, Jabbi, Konar, Girei, Gashua, old power house, SPY, Dumne, Dima and Tinde Laro in Adamawa.
For Yobe, he said that the projects were sited in Potiskum, Damaturu, while Taraba and Gombe had theirs in Wukari, Jalingo , Riyal and Bauchi road.
For Borno and Bauchi states, he said the projects were stationed in Bama, Biu, Gombe road, and Misau road.
He said work was, however, slowed down for security reasons for the injection sub-station in Bama.
Ugbo further listed the intervention projects to include supply and delivery of transformers and distribution materials required for reconstruction and rehabilitation of vandalised power facilities in Maiduguri.
Rehabilitation of Damaturu-Buni-Yadi Gulani 33Kv Line and replacement of damaged transformer in Guijba and Gulani in Yobe and rehabilitation of 26.5Km 33kV injection sub-station with associated 11Kv line networks at Nguru.
According to Ugbo, the company has also extended electricity supply to three communities in Song Local Government of Adamawa.
“For Bauchi, the company intervened by constructing a 33KV LT lines, supplied and installed distribution transformers in eight communities in Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro council areas.
“It also extended electricity supply to four communities in the council areas.”
Ugbo also noted that other generation, transmission and distribution projects had been completed, while some were still under construction across the country, saying that NDPHC did not have any abandoned projects in the country.
He, however, decried the non utilisation of some of the completed distribution infrastructure by some DisCos, adding that the situation was resulting in the deterioration and vandalism of the infrastructure.
“There were projects that were completed before now that were not taken over by the DisCos, but we have gone to them and said to them, we can’t leave these projects idle.
“The projects were being vandalised , some of the parts are being stolen; we need you to start using this project to supply the communities light and they have come to say yes.
“We are approaching the DisCos one by one, saying, these are the projects; accept this project, and we are also carrying out repairs on the vandalised projects and paying for securing the projects.”
Jibrilla, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Martins Babale, said it was cheery that Adamawa was part of the board of NDPHC representing the North-East.
He said the state government was committed to infrastructure development in education, health, among other sectors, for the well being of the people.
He, however, said electricity was required to boost the various developmental initiatives of the government hence the need to work with NDPHC to further develop electricity infrastructure in the state and in the region.
He urged NDPHC to develop more power infrastructure in the region, adding that it would partner the company in solar energy development.
The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that the management of NDPHC had begun the visit to board members in all the six-geo political zones to brief them on activities of the company.
The team had visited the governors representing South-East, North West and North-East on the board of the company with three more regions to visit.
One recurring remark and response from the governors and their representatives in the zones visited was a call for more projects in generation, transmission and distribution in their states and regions.
Business
33 Banks Raise N4.65tn As Recapitalisation Ends
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.
Business
SMEs Dev: Firms Launch N100m Loan Scheme
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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