…Fidelity surges past capital hurdle as recapitalisation era closes
As the curtain fell on the banking sector recapitalisation programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria on March 31, 2026, Nigeria’s financial landscape witnessed a decisive shift, with most lenders rising to meet the stringent new thresholds ahead of deadline.
Amid the industry-wide scramble, Fidelity Bank Plc distinguished itself through a bold and calculated strategy that underscored both preparedness and market confidence.
In a remarkable show of strength, the bank executed and concluded a private placement within a single day on December 31, 2025, drawing swift participation from major institutional investors, including Afreximbank and its subsidiaries.
This swift capital mobilisation not only signalled deep investor trust but also reinforced confidence in the bank’s leadership direction and long-term growth trajectory in an increasingly competitive environment.
Following the successful exercise and completion of regulatory verification, Fidelity Bank’s capital base surged beyond the N500 billion benchmark, positioning it firmly within the league of internationally authorised commercial banks.
Market watchers noted that the seamless execution of the offer reflected robust corporate governance, sound fundamentals, and a resilient strategy capable of weathering tightening regulations and macroeconomic uncertainties.
In a disclosure to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, the Company Secretary, Ezinwa Unuigboje, confirmed that the N259 billion private placement received full approvals from both the apex bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
She explained that the capital injection lifted the bank’s eligible capital from N305.5 billion to N564.5 billion, subject to final regulatory confirmations, effectively eliminating any prior shortfall.
The latest milestone builds on earlier fundraising efforts, including a N175.85 billion public offer and rights issue launched in 2024, which had initially strengthened the bank’s capital structure but left a gap now fully bridged.
Armed with a fortified balance sheet, Fidelity Bank is now poised to deepen its market footprint, finance critical sectors of the economy, and sustain shareholder value, as its stock closed at N19.50 per share on April 10, 2026, reflecting steady investor confidence in its post-recapitalisation future.