Nigeria’s banking sector is being reshaped by one of the most ambitious recapitalisation programmes in its history.

If you bank, invest, or do business in Nigeria, understanding how this works and where each bank stands matters.

In 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria raised minimum capital requirements and introduced three banking “tiers”: regional, national, and international.

Banks have until March 31, 2026, to comply.

Here’s what that means:

International banks need ₦500bn in paid-up capital

National banks need ₦200bn

Regional banks need ₦50bn

Paid-up capital is key. Retained earnings don’t count.

Several banks, including Access Bank, Zenith Bank, GTBank, UBA, Fidelity Bank, and First Bank of Nigeria, have already met the ₦500bn threshold and secured international licences.

Others, such as Stanbic IBTC, Citibank Nigeria, and Wema Bank, have secured national licences and appear focused on domestic operations.

First City Monument Bank, a subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, sits between these groups. In 2024, it raised ₦147.5bn in a public offer, pushing its banking subsidiary above ₦200bn in paid-up capital and securing its national licence. That means FCMB’s core banking operations are not at risk under the new rules.

The bank is now raising additional capital to reach the ₦500bn mark required for an international licence.

This includes further share sales and shareholder-approved funding options. Regulatory review is ongoing.

Why does this matter to customers? A bank’s licence affects what it can do.

International banks can finance cross-border trade and large projects. National banks focus on domestic lending. Both are viable models.

For FCMB customers, the national licence already ensures continuity.

The international licence would expand services beyond Nigeria into the rest of Africa and the world.

The recapitalisation is also driving mergers, downgrades, and niche strategies across the sector, making Nigeria’s banking system more structured and transparent.

By 2026, the system will be stronger, not because every bank has become international, but because each has chosen a sustainable path.

An Inspector of Police, Victor Okus, attached to the 17PMF, has shot and killed his colleague, Inspector Ibrahim Sani, in Rivers State.

The Rivers State Police command, in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development, describing it as tragic and distressing

Iringe-Koko said in the statement that the incident occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, adding that the suspect also injured another colleague, identified as Inspector Daniel Dauda.

Describing the dead victim as a dedicated officer, the statement said the suspect, Okus, who was on special duty at Intels, Onne, had been arrested and was in police custody.

According to the Unit Commander (U/C) 14 PMF, DSP Turaki Hassan’s accounts and preliminary investigations, the tragic incident occurred at about 1320hrs at Next Cash and Carry Supermart, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, where Inspector Ibrahim Sani and Inspector Daniel Dauda all attached to 14 PMF, Yola, were on joint guard duty with military personnel.

The statement said, “Okus allegedly shot his colleagues on the head and neck regions. The injured Officers were promptly rushed to Nopsam Hospital for Medical treatment, where Inspector Sani succumbed to his injuries, while Inspector Dauda is still receiving medical treatment. The corpse has been deposited at the Military Hospital Mortuary, Port-Harcourt for preservation and autopsy”.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, directed a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident.

The police boss said the suspect would face an Orderly Room Trial and subsequently charge to court for prosecution, assuring that justice would be served.

The CP further advised officers that handling of firearms while on duty was a serious responsibility and not a routine task, adding that it was crucial to prioritize their safety and that of others to prevent potential tragedies.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues, and friends of Inspector Sani and further reaffirmed the command’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability within the force.

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has re-arraigned human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a two-count amended charge of cyberstalking.

The court also struck out Meta Platforms Inc. (parent of Facebook) and X Corp (formerly Twitter) as defendants following an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) lead counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN.

In the amended charge filed on December 5, 2025 Sowore, a two time former Presidential candidate was re-arraigned by DSS on two count charges bothering on defamation of Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The new charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 and signed by Akinlolu Kehinde SAN on behalf of the federal government.

“COUNT ONE, That you, Omoyele Sowore, Adull, Male, on or abou! the 25” day of August 2025. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly or intentionally send a message by meons of a computer system or network, to wit: your official “X” (formerly Twitter} handle page, @YeleSowore. wherein you posted the following message/tweet: ‘This criminal @officlolABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to shamelessly lie, which message you knew to be fake and posted for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria. posing a threat to life, or causing such message to be sent and thereby committed the offence of Cyberstalking contrary to Section 24(1) (b) and 24(2) (a). (6), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, fic.) (Amendment) Act, 2024 and punishable under the same section.

“COUNT Two That you. Omoyele Sowore, Adult. Male, on or about the 25” day of August, 2025. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly or intentionally send a message by means of a computer system or network, to wit: your Official Facebook handle page. @YeleSowore, wherein you posted the following message/post: “This criminal @officlalABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there Is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to shamelessly lie” which message you knew to be false and posted for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria, posing a threat to life. or causing such message to be sent and thereby committed the offence of Cyberstalking contrary to Section 241(b) and 24(2) (a), (b), and (c) of the. Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Bic.) (Amendment) Act, 2024 and punishable under some section.

However, Sowore pleaded not guilty to the two count charges when read to him.

Attempts to open trial was, however, stalled due to complaints by Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshall that the names of the witnesses and their particulars were not attached to the proof of evidence as required by law.

He claimed that the refusal to name the witnesses and disclose their identities violated section 36 of the 1999 which compels fair hearing in any matter of the nature.

Concerted efforts by the lawyer to the federal government, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN could not help the matter prompting the Judge to shift trial date to January 22.

The Judge ordered Akinlolu Kehinde SAN to comply with the provisions of the law by listing names of the witnesses and their particulars and to also supply the defendant with necessary documents that would aid his preparation for defense.

The summary of the charge is that the Defendant is standing trial on a two (2) count charge of cyberstalking Contrary to Section 24(1) (b) and 24(2) (a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes Act! (Prohibition, Prevention, Bic.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The prosecution alleges that the Defendant knowingly and intentionally sent messages he knew to be false through his official “X” (formerly Twitter) and Facebook handles, wherein he published the statement: “This criminal @ofliclolABA! actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to shamelessly lie’

The prosecution contends that by referring to the President and Commander-in-Chiet of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. as a “criminal,” the Defendant published a false statement for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order, posing threat to or causing such message to be sent.

The charges are punishable with a fine of a minimum of Fifteen Million Naira or five years imprisonment.