Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has urged banks to utilize the over N4.6 trillion raised from the recent banking sector recapitalisation to invest in productive sectors. This initiative aims to create jobs, support businesses, and enhance foreign exchange earnings. The recapitalisation exercise concluded on March 31, 2026.

According to ThisDay Live, banks' borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has decreased by 96.04% Year-on-Year (YoY), reaching N2.33 trillion in the first half of 2026. This significant decline occurs amidst ongoing uncertainty in the business environment.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has criticized the average prime lending rates of 27 percent and maximum lending rates of 36.5 percent charged by major commercial banks as of May 2026, labeling them as exploitatively high for the manufacturing sector.

Nigerian banking stocks are currently experiencing a market dip, presenting a potential contrarian investment opportunity. According to Nairametrics, these banks demonstrate solid fundamentals, characterized by strong gross earnings and high net interest margins, which are supported by sustained high interest rates amidst the recent correction in the Nigerian equity market.

Nigeria's non-performing loans (NPLs) ratio increased to 9.85% in February 2026, nearly double the acceptable threshold of 5%. This rise followed the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) withdrawal of regulatory forbearance, which led lenders to reclassify previously deferred exposures. The information was detailed in the CBN's February 2026 Economic Report released on Wednesday.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has confirmed data from Vanguard Newspaper indicating a 22.5 percent decline in bank credit to manufacturers, amounting to N1.9 trillion. MAN expressed concerns that this decline could negatively impact industrial growth, increase unemployment, and hinder policy implementation, attributing the issue to high interest rates and policy gaps.