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The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, has urged banks to deploy their stronger capital base towards financing micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, MSMEs, describing the sector as critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and job creation
President and Chairman of Council of the CIBN, Dr Dele Alabi, made the call at a media briefing ahead of the institute’s 19th Annual Banking and Finance Conference scheduled for September 8 and 9, 2026 in Abuja
Alabi said the recent recapitalisation of banks had provided stronger buffers against economic shocks, but stressed that increased capital must translate into greater support for productive sectors of the economy
He said banks could no longer depend heavily on government securities or concentrate their lending on large corporations, particularly as yields on government securities decline and margins in the top-tier corporate sector become thinner
“Smart bankers, smart bank CEOs have to think of a more ingenious way of utilising this capital. It entails going down a little bit down the ladder to lend to the MSMEs. That is what we are focusing on,” he said
Alabi acknowledged that many MSMEs face challenges, including weak corporate governance, inadequate financial records and poor accounting systems, which often make them difficult for banks to finance
He said the CIBN would establish MSME forums to bring entrepreneurs and banks together and follow discussions through to actual transactions, while SME clinics would be organised to build the capacity of businesses and make them more bankable
The CIBN president also disclosed that the institute was working with the Lagos State Government to establish an SME hub in the state as part of efforts to strengthen financial inclusion
He maintained that lending to MSMEs could be profitable and secure if banks adopted strong risk-management systems and appropriate lending infrastructure
Alabi said the CIBN was also pursuing generational inclusion through initiatives such as its Generation Next programme, which provides young Nigerians with opportunities to engage industry leaders, develop ideas and explore innovation
Speaking on the forthcoming conference, a member of the Conference Consultative Committee, Mr Segun Opeke, said the event would provide a platform for policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, development partners, technology providers, academics and business leaders to develop practical solutions to challenges facing the economy
He said the conference would focus on “Building a Resilient Economy in an Era of Disruptions: Strategic Imperatives for the Banking and Financial Services Industry.”
According to him, discussions will address issues including geopolitical uncertainties, technological disruptions, cyber threats, climate risks, changing customer expectations and evolving regulatory requirements
Opeke said the conference would hold physically in Abuja, with virtual participation available to stakeholders in Nigeria and across the world
He said resolutions from the conference would be documented in a communiqué and forwarded to relevant policymakers and stakeholders to support informed decision-making and policy formulation
The conference is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants, including banking executives, regulators, government officials, development partners, academia, fintech leaders, investors and other stakeholders in the financial ecosystem
Also speaking, the CIBN President said the institute would continue to track the implementation of recommendations from its annual conferences through a structured checklist containing responsibilities, milestones and timelines
He cited improved coordination between monetary and fiscal authorities as one of the key outcomes of recommendations from last year’s conference
Alabi said the CIBN remained committed to supporting policies and initiatives capable of strengthening Nigeria’s financial system and driving sustainable economic growth
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