Business
Why African Nations Must Explore Deep-seabed Minerals
Statistics have revealed that African Coastal states have actually not taken any remarkable steps (s) towards realising the benefits derivable from the abundant potential of marine mineral resources which include noduiles sulptrides, phosphorites and cobalt rich ferromanganese crust within the area of national jurisdiction, even in area between states bordering the south Atlantic ocean.
This to some extend have become a source of concern to maritime experts, and of course notable authorities that are interested in African countries waking up to exploit as well as benefit in the abundance of mineral resources in the deep sea marine environment.
As part of this efforts to encourage African nations to explore the deep seabed mineral resources, the Secretary General of the international Seabed Authority (ISA) His Excellency, Nii Allotey Odunton has been scheduled to address the next Heads of State Meeting of the African union on the marine mineral resources and the need for the region to be actively engaged in the exploration and exploitation of the deep seabed mineral resources in the area.
The move was as a result of recommendation put forward by participants at an international sensitisation seminar on the works of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Abuja.
ISA Secretary General read the decisions and the 12 point recommendation reached at the seminar, and also announced that Africa member states of ISA should facilitate the immediate development of Intra-African and International cooperation to promote as well as develop marine exploration and exploitation.
Several players in the transport and indeed the maritime sub-sector have expressed the need for African countries to actually wake up to the challenge of exploiting the deep seabed mineral potentials, even though it has lagged behind in the past.
The Nigerians transport minister, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Bio has opined that the inability of African countries and indeed government to explore the vast resources has contributed to underdevelopment of the region over the years, and has urged scientist to join other countries in exploring the seabed recourses, and also assured of governments readiness to support ISA towards ensuring that deep sea exploration mining licenses in the area are issued as soon as possible.
The minister stated “it is a known fact that in spite of all the challenges facing Africa, it is richly endowed on land and sea. That these natural resources have remained largely untapped is a great source of concern and part of the reasons for Africa’s underdevelopment.”
Also, the Nigeria’s permanent representative at the ISA, Ambassador Peter Oyedele has noted that the advances made in technological development in recent times, that mining of the nodules deposit in deep seabed will soon became a commercial reality and that African continent can not afford to be left out in this regards.
It is on record that the United Nations (UN) General assembly in 1970, adopted a resolution declaring the resources of the seabed and ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction to be “common heritage of mankind” for which no state or person could rightfully claim.
The time has now ripen for Nigerian Scientists, and indeed other scientist in African region to showcase their skills and ingenuity in exploring and exploiting the rich deep seabed mineral resources for the development of the region.
Going by the UN resolution of 1970, no nation can make claim to ownership of the seabed. It is our common wealth, and African should partake in the deal.
Corlins Walter
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.
