Prime Highlight:
- Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria has met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ₦200 billion minimum capital requirement in November 2025, ahead of the March 2026 deadline.
- The early compliance underscores the bank’s commitment to deepening operations in Nigeria and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Key Facts:
- The bank achieved the capital target through strong investments, a solid balance sheet, and disciplined financial management.
- Standard Chartered has served Nigeria for over 26 years and plans to use the new capital to expand lending and support sectors, driving national productivity.
Background:
Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited has confirmed that it met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ₦200 billion minimum capital requirement in November 2025, several months before the March 2026 deadline set under the CBN’s recapitalisation policy.
The bank said it achieved the target through stronger capital investment, a solid balance sheet, and disciplined financial management. By completing the process early, Standard Chartered has signalled its plan to deepen its operations in Nigeria, one of its most important markets in Africa.
Chief Executive Officer Dalu Ajene said the early compliance shows the bank’s confidence in Nigeria’s economy. He said the move underlines the group’s long-term partnership with the country and its plan to support sustainable growth and economic development.
Ajene added that the capital boost will allow the bank to keep backing clients in sectors that drive national productivity, while also expanding value-driven financing across the economy.
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer Dayo Omolokun said the recapitalisation reflects the group’s strong belief in Nigeria as a strategic market in Africa. He noted that since the bank returned to Nigeria in 1999 as a wholly owned subsidiary, it has delivered structured financial solutions worth billions of dollars to customers.
Omolokun said the new capital will help the bank do more to support the government’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2031, as outlined by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Standard Chartered has operated in Africa for more than 170 years and has served customers in Nigeria for over 26 years. The bank blends global experience with local knowledge to offer banking, trade and wealth services to individuals and businesses.
Globally, Standard Chartered operates in 54 high-growth markets and remains listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.
The bank said its early compliance with the CBN’s capital rule places it in a strong position to expand lending, strengthen confidence among customers and regulators, and play a larger role in Nigeria’s financial and economic transformation.
