Business
RSG To Partner IEBS Matrixx On Cooperatives
Rivers State Government has promised to partner with an International Entrepreneurs Business Summit (IEBS) to ensure that it benefits from governments laudable corporative programmes.
Speaking during the official launching of the programme, the Rivers State Commissioner for Commerce and industry, Dr Nancy Chidi-Nwankwo stated that the Rivers State Government was interested in the cooperative, as it was a very important sector in the economy of the state.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director, Cooperative, Mr George Nwanchukwu remarked that the ministry was happy with the vision and mission of IEBS since its inception in 2015, adding that they are one of the best corporative in the state.
Nwanchukwu stated further that a good cooperative such as IEBS Matrixx, would create job opportunities for the teeming youths in the state and would help them to live independently and become employers of labour.
“As long as the IEBS Matrix corporative and Dr Larry Ajiola was concerned, I am also concerned too, because Dr Larry registered his corporative with the vision of creating wealth and empowering the people through his corporal corporative and as a government this is a very important sector of the economy which is the reason why government was interested in his vision.”
He promised that the cooperative would always benefit from whatever comes out of the ministry’s office, adding that in whatever form that the government would come in to assist them, it would do when the need arises.
Speaking also, the Chairman IEBS Matrixx Corporative Investment and Credit Society Limited, Dr Larry-Goodwill Ajiola stated that this was the first time in the history of Rivers state that corporate IEBS corporative was coming in Rivers State, adding that out of the 53,000 corporative registered in Rivers state and IEBS having this registration number 31,894, many corporative that exist in the state have not done well as they failed to understand what corporative was all about.
“We are setting up corporate corporative that is going to get businesses from multinationals, and government would seek IEBS Matrixx corporative for advice on how to run a successful corporative in Rivers State, Ajiola stated.
Highlights of the event was the issuing of certificates of membership to over 40 IEBS Matrix Corporative members as well as giving of certificates of office to some members which stands as a symbol to remind them that they have an obligation to serve the general public.
He added that what was being witnessed today was as a result of hard work of more than 10yers’ dream and expressed gladness that everyone was alive to witness the event happening today.
“We want to be the benchmark in Rivers, Nigeria and the world at large and so it was important for you to know that the day you join our corporative is the day you start benefitting.”
Earlier in his opening remark, the chairman of the occasion, Prof Lawyer Obara, reiterated the need for corporative members to know how to manage risk, stating that risk was part of business ventures.
Obara called for determination and passionate commitment on the part of the corporative, stating that there was a great need to create risk premium factor which help businesses to succeed.
He commended the efforts of Dr Larry-Goodwill Ajiola and his partners for the efforts of drawing the attention of Federal Government to the Rivers State, adding that the benefits cannot be over emphasized.
Lilian Peters & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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