Figures cited by Premium Times show that FirstBank of Nigeria has successfully completed its N500 billion capital raise, a move lauded by billionaire investor Femi Otedola. Otedola praised both President Tinubu and CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso for creating the regulatory environment that allowed for such a massive capital injection.
The capital raise is part of the CBN’s mandate for commercial banks to strengthen their balance sheets to support a 1 trillion economy. FirstBank’s success is seen as a bellwether for the rest of the banking sector, many of whom are still in the middle of their own rights issues or public offers.
The Nation added that the ‘economy will profit from financial sector reforms,’ noting that stronger banks will be better positioned to lend to the real sector. BusinessDay also listed this as one of the ’25 deals that shaped Nigeria’s corporate environment,’ marking it as a defining moment for 100-year-old institution.
Echotitbits take: FirstBank reaching this goal ahead of schedule is a massive liquidity boost for the Nigerian stock exchange. Expect Otedola to continue pushing for a ‘N1 trillion capital base’ as the new gold standard for Tier-1 banks in Nigeria.
Source: Premium Times — https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/847084-otedola-urges-cbn-to-raise-banks-capital-to-%E2%82%A61-trillion-as-firstbank-meets-%E2%82%A6500bn-requirement.html
Premium Times January 2, 2026
Photo Credit: Premium Times
