A storm is brewing in Nigeria’s banking sector as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) proposed capital hike threatens to destabilize the industry, according to a recent report by Ernst and Young.
The report, titled “Navigating the Horizon: Charting the Course for Banks amid Plans for Recapitalisation,” paints a grim picture of the potential fallout from such a move.
Ernst and Young’s analysis suggests that if the CBN increases the minimum capital base for commercial banks by 15-fold, from the current N25 billion, only seven out of the existing 24 Deposit Money Banks may survive the upheaval.
This revelation underscores the magnitude of the challenge facing the banking sector and raises concerns about the stability of the financial system.
The proposed capital hike comes in the wake of the CBN’s efforts to bolster banks’ capacity to support Nigeria’s ambitious goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2026.
However, the report highlights the significant hurdles that lie ahead, particularly for smaller banks that may struggle to meet the new requirements.
The last major banking reform in 2004 saw a similar increase in the capital base, resulting in massive mergers and acquisitions that reduced the number of banks from 89 to 25.
Now, nearly two decades later, history seems poised to repeat itself, with the potential for widespread consolidation and restructuring in the industry.
Industry experts have expressed mixed reactions to the proposed capital hike. While some welcome the move as necessary for ensuring financial stability and supporting economic growth, others caution against the potential negative impact on smaller banks and urge the CBN to consider alternative strategies.
As the debate intensifies, all eyes are on the CBN to see how it will navigate the delicate balance between regulatory requirements and industry resilience in the face of mounting challenges.
