The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the successful conclusion of its bank recapitalization exercise, which officially ended on March 31, 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of the Banking Supervision Department, Olubukola Akinwunmi, the apex bank confirmed that a total of N4.65 trillion was raised during the process.

The recapitalization program, which began in March 2024, was designed to strengthen the financial system. According to the CBN, 72.55 percent of the capital raised came from domestic sources, while the remainder was sourced from international markets.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso stated that the exercise has significantly enhanced the resilience of Nigerian banks. He noted that the strengthened capital base positions the banking sector to better support economic growth and withstand both domestic and external shocks.

The apex bank also confirmed that 33 financial institutions have met the revised minimum capital requirements set under the program. A small number of banks are still undergoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being handled through established supervisory and legal frameworks.

Despite this, all banks remain fully operational, ensuring uninterrupted access to financial services for customers.

The CBN further stated that the exercise has improved capital adequacy ratios across the sector, with levels remaining above international Basel benchmarks. Minimum thresholds are maintained at 10 percent for regional and national banks, and 15 percent for banks with international licenses.

Additionally, the recapitalization—implemented alongside a phased withdrawal from regulatory forbearance—has enhanced asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and reinforced overall financial system stability.