Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc said it has surpassed N500 billion new minimum capital requirement set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), joining the league of Access Bank, GTCO, UBA, and Zenith which already have meet the new capital base.
The successful raise of the minimum recapitalisation requirement followed its ₦148.7 billion Rights Issue which the lender said was oversubscribed.
A release by the bank on Tuesday further explained that the Group was looking to raise ₦148.7 billion via a Rights Issue but ended up raising ₦181.4 billion which is a 21.9% oversubscription. In addition, the sum of N140 billion was said to have been injected into the bank by its parent company.
The rights offering, floated at ₦50.50 per share, resulted in the issuance and subsequent listing of 2,944,772,083 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. This brings the bank’s total issued and fully paid-up shares to 15.9 billion units, up from 12.96 billion.
The capital raise was launched in response to the CBN’s directive for commercial banks to shore up their capital bases in order to ensure greater systemic resilience, particularly in light of ongoing macroeconomic volatility and the increasing demands of digital banking infrastructure. Stanbic IBTC’s proactive approach in meeting and exceeding the new threshold has been lauded by analysts as a mark of prudence and leadership.
Speaking on the landmark achievement, Dr. Kunle Adedeji, Acting Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, described the success of the Rights Issue as a pivotal moment in the group’s evolution.
“The enthusiastic participation of our shareholders is a testament to their trust in our strategic intent. This is not merely a financial transaction—it is a clear signal that we are ready to scale new heights in innovation, efficiency, and customer-centricity,” he said.
Of the proceeds, a substantial ₦140 billion has been injected into Stanbic IBTC Bank, the flagship banking subsidiary of the group. The infusion is expected to bolster the bank’s lending capacity, accelerate investments in digital platforms, and expand its footprint in key growth segments.
Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, noted that the recapitalisation places the bank in an advantageous position to deepen its support for individuals, SMEs, and large corporates. “With this renewed capital strength, we are better equipped to address market needs, invest in emerging technologies, and pursue strategic growth opportunities that enhance shareholder value,” Adeniyi stated.
Market experts have praised the success of the offer as a barometer of Stanbic IBTC’s sound corporate governance and reliable performance metrics. Beyond fulfilling regulatory obligations, the capital injection is expected to reinforce the bank’s resilience, elevate customer service, and advance its digital transformation agenda.
The outcome of Stanbic IBTC’s Rights Issue is being held up as a template for other financial institutions navigating the CBN’s capital raise mandate. It reflects a growing optimism in the Nigerian financial sector’s ability to adapt swiftly to regulatory demands and global banking trends.
