Recapital
isation Push Lifts Banks’ Market Value Beyond ₦17 Trillion
Nigeria’s banking sector has recorded a significant surge in market valuation, with the combined worth of listed banks rising to over ₦17 trillion following the ongoing recapitalisation exercise across the industry. The development reflects renewed investor confidence and stronger balance sheets among financial institutions.
Before the recapitalisation drive, the total market value of listed banks stood below ₦4 trillion. However, fresh capital injections, improved earnings outlooks, and rising share prices have combined to push valuations sharply higher within a relatively short period.
Leading financial institutions have accounted for a substantial portion of this growth. Top-tier banks such as GTCO, Zenith Bank, Access Holdings, UBA, First HoldCo, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated have each posted strong gains, with individual market capitalisations running into trillions of naira.
Mid-tier and smaller banks have also benefited from the recapitalisation momentum. Institutions like Wema Bank, Fidelity Bank, and FCMB Group recorded remarkable increases in market value, signalling broader market optimism across the banking landscape rather than gains limited to only the largest players.
Market analysts attribute the surge largely to the recapitalisation programme and revised minimum capital requirements introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria. These reforms are designed to strengthen banks’ financial capacity, improve resilience, and enhance their ability to support large-scale economic activities.
With improved capital adequacy and stronger investor sentiment, the banking sector is increasingly positioned to play a more robust role in financing economic growth, supporting businesses, and contributing to overall financial stability in the country.
