Four Nigerian banks invested about N120 billion in infrastructure and technology development in the first quarter of 2026, as lenders move to strengthen resilience and expand support for businesses.
Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Body of Bank CEOs, disclosed this at the 19th Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Annual Banking and Finance Conference in Abuja.
Alawuba said the investments were aimed at strengthening the banking sector’s resilience while creating the capacity to support the real sector of the economy.
He said the banks were also working to translate the investments into more affordable credit for Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs), which remain critical to economic activity and job creation.
According to him, a resilient economy is one capable of absorbing shocks and adapting to changing conditions without passing the burden on to vulnerable citizens.
Alawuba commended the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for their efforts toward strengthening economic stability.
He said the ongoing recapitalisation of the banking sector had further enhanced the capacity of banks to support economic growth.
The banking sector has been undergoing a recapitalisation exercise designed to strengthen financial institutions, improve their capacity to absorb shocks and position them to provide greater financing for productive sectors.
Alawuba, however, stressed the need for stronger coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to unlock greater productivity across the economy.
He called for increased synergy between fiscal and monetary policies, arguing that a more coordinated policy environment would help banks channel resources more effectively into productive activities.
The bank CEOs’ investment in infrastructure and technology comes as financial institutions continue to accelerate digital transformation and upgrade their operational systems.
Beyond improving banking services, the investments are expected to strengthen the ability of banks to process transactions, manage risks and extend credit more efficiently.
Alawuba said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that stronger banks translate into better economic opportunities for businesses and households.
He emphasised that investments in banking infrastructure should ultimately support broader economic resilience by improving access to finance, particularly for MSMEs.
The call for affordable credit comes against the backdrop of persistent financing challenges faced by smaller businesses, many of which struggle to access loans on terms that match their cash flows and operating realities.
Alawuba said closer collaboration between policymakers and the banking industry would be necessary to ensure that the sector’s growing capacity translates into sustainable economic growth.
He maintained that fiscal and monetary authorities must work together to create conditions that encourage investment, boost productivity and enable financial institutions to play a stronger role in financing the real economy.
