Business
N’Delta Trade Fair Kicks Off April 11
All is now set for the 8th edition of Niger Delta International Trade Fair scheduled to kick off from the 11th to 24th of April, 2012.
The Chief Executive of Niger Delta International Trade Fair Limited, Mr Daso Harry, made this disclosure last week during a parley with newsmen at the Port Harcourt office of the organisation.
According to him, the fair will attract business opportunities within Port Harcourt, Nigeria and beyond and provide another rare opportunity for corporate organisations, banks, industrialists, small and medium scale enterprises including individuals to showcase their goods and services to the general public.
Harry expressed confidence that the fair would attract well over a million visitors from within and outside the country.
He assured participants and visitors alike that the 8th Niger Delta International Trade fair will further bring to fore the reality that Port Harcourt is not only the hub of oil and gas but also the commercial nerve of the nation. He noted that this year’s fair promises to be huge, bigger and better than previous editions and will expose exhibitors to over one million expected visitors comprising mainly of key industry players as well as targeted customers across all industries in the state, Nigeria, the West African sub region, Africa and beyond, noting that it will be another plus for Rivers SState as foreign businessmen seeking partnership with local manufacturers and distributors will add an interesting dimension to the fair.
Objectives of this year’s fair are: to intensify the need for an enhanced action plan towards a sustainable economic growth through private sector, to indicate prospects for foreign and local private investments in strategic areas of tourism, agriculture, industries and oil and gas, to create awareness of goods, services and talents available in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole and to showcase the various investment and great business opportunities, incentives and institutions to local and foreign investments.
According to the Director of Trade fairs in Niger Delta International Trade Fair Limited, Mr. Peter Ofuka, the fair would promote Niger Delta as a home for all Nigerians and therefore the arrowhead of Nigerian economic growth. And to help niger delta small, medium and prospective large scale companies through the match making process that would be preceded by trade flow analysis/demand and supply surveys to take advantage of the existing liberal investment climate engendered by the present government economic agenda.
Speaking earlier, the Chief executive of Niger Delta international Trade fair Limited, Mr. Daso Harry, had told newsmen that this year’s fair will encourage healthy habits through constant sanitation, he assured the people of efficient and effective security adding that organizers have also taken time to include the trade fair musical concert replica of what is usually held in the Carniriv festival to add colour to the fair.
“We will be setting up an entertainment village where artist and stand up comedians are expected to thrill and entertain participants and visitors who will want to unwind after the hard day’s business” Mr Harry said.
The theme for this year’s trade fair is; “Creating Avenue To Expand Economic Opportunity, Strenghten Equity And Protect The Environment.
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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