Business
Vulcanising Business Booms In Rivers
Some vulcanisers in Rivers State say repair of all kinds of tyres was booming in the state. They disclosed that they make between N25,000 and N30,000 per week.
The vulcanisers said monies come from repair of tubeless tyres, tubes, rims changing of old tyres to new ones and gauging of deflated tyres.
Secretary of the Vulcanisers’ Association of Nigeria, Rivers State, Mr. Sopirinye Halliday at Rumuola, Port Harcourt, said that the work was lucrative.
Halliday explained that vulcanisers earn moe money in patching tyres of articulated vehicles than those of smaller vehicles.
He maintained that to patch a Mercedes Benz 608 mini-lorry or buses tyres costs N600 per hole, while those of trailers and tankers cost N1,500 per patch.
The artisan told The Tide that those of cars, tricycles and mini-buses whether tubeless or tubes costs N500 per patch, while gauging and pumping of types cost N100 per tyre.
“In this vulcanizing business, I have been able to buy a plot of land and I am married with four children. I have been in this job for the past 25 years and make about N60,000 weekly, especially on the days I vulcanize big tyres,” he said.
He said he used to make about N10,000 to N15,000 a week because he had no equipment for big tyres.
Halliday advised upcoming vulcanisers that the secret of the job was patience, good site and human relations.
Also lending credence, a vulcaniser at slaughter axis of Port Harcourt, Mr. Chinedu Amuramu said that he could make N20,000 on a weekly basis because he worked more on tricycles’ tyres and that of tankers, saying that his workshop was within the tricyle riders’ park.
According to him, patching a tricycle tyre goes for N500 or N600 and for mini-bus tyres and every other vehicle is between N1,000 and N1,200.
However Mr. Emmanuel Anietie, at trailer Park, Onne, said that the business was not a fast growing business especially during rainy season. Anietie pointed out that with good character, customers could call them from anywhere within the town to come to their aid whenever they had problems with their tyres.
As he puts it, “I leave my workshop at least twice a week on distress call from my customers and I charge N1,500 for such bail-out calls. Though, it was not easy initially because of the hazardous nature of the job, as at then I could only make N3,000 to N5,000 a day, “ he said.
Another vulcaniser at Lagos Bus Stop, Chris Amadi said that the only challenge facing the business was multiple taxes especially from the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA). Amadi appealed to the agency to reduce the levy, adding that they feed their families from the job.
As he puts it, “we do not have shops and for that, RIWAMA is not supposed to collect such amount of between N1,000 and N1500 from us, they should allow us to pay less than that annually instead of the stipulated sum of N1,500, he said.
Amadi further said that he made between N15,000 to N20,000 on weekly basis as against his earning of N8,000 to N12,000 last year.
He, however, attributed the boom to the rehabilitation of the bad roads in his area of jurisdiction which made motorists to ply through his workshop.
Bethel Toby
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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