₦airaland Forum

Nigeria’s banking sector is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) announcement of new minimum capital requirements in March 2024. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Under the directive, commercial banks are required to raise additional capital and meet new thresholds on or before March 31, 2026. The policy is aimed at building stronger, more resilient banks capable of financing large-scale projects, stabilising the financial system, and supporting Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy.

For customers, investors, and businesses, it is important to understand that banks now operate under three licence categories: International, National, and Regional, each with different capital requirements and operating permissions.

An international banking licence allows Nigerian banks to operate beyond the country’s borders and engage in cross-border and global financial transactions. To qualify, banks must have a minimum paid-up capital of ₦500 billion.

As of early 2026, the following banks have met the requirement and secured their international licences:

Access Bank Plc

Fidelity Bank Plc

First Bank of Nigeria Limited

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)

United Bank for Africa (UBA)

Zenith Bank Plc

These banks are now positioned to compete more aggressively on the global stage, finance multinational projects, and support international trade and investment flows.

A national banking licence permits banks to operate across Nigeria but limits their ability to conduct international banking activities. To qualify, banks must meet a ₦200 billion paid-up capital requirement.

The following banks have secured national licences under the new framework:

First City Monument Bank (FCMB)
(currently raising additional capital to secure an international licence)

Wema Bank

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria

Citibank Nigeria

Stanbic IBTC Bank

Sterling Bank

Globus Bank

Premium Trust Bank

While these banks remain strong players within Nigeria, some—like FCMB—have indicated plans to upgrade their licences by raising additional capital ahead of the 2026 deadline

According to the CBN, the recapitalisation policy is designed to:

Strengthen the banking system against economic shocks

Improve banks’ capacity to fund large infrastructure and industrial projects

Restore confidence among local and foreign investors

Position Nigeria’s financial sector for long-term growth

Industry analysts note that the reform could also lead to mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships as banks race to meet the new thresholds.

What Customers and Investors Should Know

For customers, the recapitalisation drive does not affect deposits or day-to-day banking operations. For investors, however, it presents both risks and opportunities, especially as banks raise capital through rights issues, public offers, or strategic investments.

As the March 2026 deadline approaches, further changes in Nigeria’s banking landscape are expected

https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/01/18/nigerian-banks-that-have-secured-their-licences/

cc: Mynd44 , Nlfpmod , Seun

I can't see Union Bank plc on any of the report,. Weytin dey sup, hope my money is safe sha

What of bill point by Blood

opera1:
I can't see Union Bank plc on any of the report,. Weytin dey sup

Union Bank is currently under CBN-management after its acquisition was established to be from illicit funds allegedly linked to Mr Emefiele. The case is still on though.

opera1:
I can't see Union Bank plc on any of the report,. Weytin dey sup, hope my money is safe sha

sure. If they can’t secure themselves. They are going for possible merger

I think I like this development, it sounds like a good plan.

Thank God my banks made it.

I can’t see my bank here
2 more needed

phosky:
https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/01/18/nigerian-banks-that-have-secured-their-licences/

cc: Mynd44 , Nlfpmod , Seun

still no FCMB. Yet some say they've met it, but yet to fill in some papers. Yeah right.

I CAN'T FIND OPAY AMONG THE LIST

First bank will go why, cause they cant accept such greed

Shnew:
I can’t see my bank here
2 more needed

you need to port asap, no time

Is the policy not affecting fintech banks?

Na them sure pass, all these commercial banks can steal enn! God bless OPAY, I dey collect my owealth interest daily . . .

I know GTbank will be there. With all the money illegally deducted from customers, there's no way they won't make it.

Union Bank is merging with Titan Bank.

opera1:
I can't see Union Bank plc on any of the report,. Weytin dey sup, hope my money is safe sha

Good one ! Slowly but surely !

make I take 1 eye dey look ECOBANK .

GTB nah steady THIEF this one kuku be.I dnt knw what dem dey charge 1760 whatever do ?

opera1:
I can't see Union Bank plc on any of the report,. Weytin dey sup, hope my money is safe sha

I think union bank will either merge or fold up,that bonk is no longer big, strong and reliable

where's keystone bank please

Raph82:
I know GTbank will be there. With all the money illegally deducted from customers, there's no way they won't make it.

gtb and access are thieves

Ecobank is not there.

I am happy sef. I dey owe them 40 million.

Vanpascore:
Is the policy not affecting fintech banks?

Na them sure pass, all these commercial banks can steal enn! God bless OPAY, I dey collect my owealth interest daily . . .

what are you hyping here,the 15% per annum that opay is paying in owealth,if you break down into daily, there's nothing there,except if you locked millions of naira

AKWATGOLD1:
Union Bank is merging with Titan Bank.

Titan is another weak bank,first bank should acquire union bank

Ah! I can't see my bank's name O! Make I go move my money

Customers are the one to bear the brurnt of all these satanic policies. These banks will role out several deductions and thieving terms such as Access fee, transaction fee, processing fee, VAT, ATM maintenance charges, SMS alert fee, FG Levy, tax on deposit, debits on us charges all just to meet up with this re- capitalization nonsen.se.

Before you leave money in your account, at the end of every months it yield interest but today the bank will steal all the money even if you're not doing any transactions. Very unfortunate country.

IronCondemned:
Ecobank is not there.

I am happy sef. I dey owe them 40 million.

even if they close, you think they will not recover their debt.

Hopefully the sluggish bank called Oceanic (Eco bank) with their poor customer services will be swallowed by another

I really feel for customers that have account with them

COMRADES, FCMB struggling to meet up with international re capitalisation? I thought that bank is healthy
If your bank is not there go and evacuate your monies from there and them to a safer bank

I foresee Lamido Sanusi kind of era as CBN governor when Access bank acquired Intercontinental Bank when Intercontinental Bank gave loan facility to Access bank.
Titan Bank that was incorporated not up to 5yrs ago acquiring Union Bank with vast asset base.

coputa:
Titan is another weak bank,first bank should acquire union bank

Raph82:
I know GTbank will be there. With all the money illegally deducted from customers, there's no way they won't make it.

Those ones are ruthless bandits. They deduct at night like robbers on a midnight operation

Okay. This is seen and noted.

IronCondemned:
Ecobank is not there.

I am happy sef. I dey owe them 40 million.

Na your type Wan ruin the bank be that.