The President Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dele Alabi, has urged Nigerian banks to increase lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), in order to generate higher returns for banks after the industry recapitalisation.
Mr Alabi, who is also the CIBN’s Chairman of Council, stated this at the 2026 Fellowship Investiture of CIBN, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday. The theme of the event was “Bank Recapitalisation: Leveraging New Bank Capital for Nigeria’s Industrial Transformation.”
He said the success of the banking sector recapitalisation exercise, which ended on 31 March, would depend on how effectively the new capital is deployed to support productive sectors of the economy.
Mr Alabi said banks needed to look beyond large corporations and expand financing to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which he described as critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and employment.
He said lending to MSMEs could be both secured and profitable if banks developed appropriate structures and infrastructure to manage the associated risks.
“Banks no longer have the luxury of focusing only on the top-tier sectors of the economy, on the Mobiles, on the Unilevers, on the Shells,” he said.
The CIBN boss added that the institute was planning its first MSME forum for 1 December, to advance practical solutions for improving access to finance and supporting enterprise growth.
Mr Alabi cited estimates that MSMEs account for about 46 per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product, constitute 96 per cent of businesses and generate 86 per cent of employment.
He also said the institute was considering the establishment of MSME hubs across states, drawing on models implemented in countries including China, India and the United Kingdom.
755 CIBN honorees
The CIBN President said the institute honoured 755 banking professionals for their contributions to the banking industry and Nigeria’s economic development.
The honourees comprised 18 honorary fellows, 460 elected fellows and 277 honorary senior members.
Among the distinguished honorary fellows honored at three events Samuel Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff, Lagos State, Folorunsho Alakija, Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited, Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to the Ogun State Government; and Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Mr Alabi said their achievements, leadership and dedication had helped advance the banking profession and contributed to the country’s economic growth.
He also disclosed that the institute’s banking examinations were now conducted in 13 African countries: Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Liberia, Congo, Ghana, Botswana, Cameroon, Namibia, Zambia, Rwanda, Mali, Mozambique and Kenya.
He said Sierra Leone had the highest number of chartered bankers among the 13 countries, describing the institute’s growing international reach as evidence of its expanding relevance…
Read More: CIBN urges banks to increase lending to MSMEs, honours 755 professionals
