Agusto & Co., a leading Pan-African credit rating agency and economic research firm, recently convened its 2026 Economic Roundtable, bringing together top banking executives, regulators, investors, and policy experts for high-level discussions on Nigeria’s evolving financial landscape and the path to sustainable economic growth.
Held under the theme “Nigeria’s Banking Recapitalisation: What Does It Mean for the Nigerian Economy?”, the roundtable provided a platform for policymakers and industry leaders to critically assess the broader implications of the ongoing banking recapitalisation exercise. Conversations went beyond the volume of capital being raised to interrogate its impact on financial system resilience, credit quality, investor confidence, and long-term economic expansion.
Speaking at the event, Yinka Adelekan, Managing Director of Agusto & Co. Limited, emphasised the importance of informed engagement at a time of profound structural shifts within Nigeria’s financial system.
“This roundtable comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s banking sector,” Adelekan said. “As recapitalisation unfolds, it is essential to create a forum for thoughtful dialogue on what it truly means for economic stability and growth. In doing so, we honour our founder’s legacy by ensuring that recapitalisation strengthens not only bank balance sheets, but the future of Nigeria’s financial system.”
Delivering the keynote address, Matthew Verghis, Country Director of the World Bank in Nigeria, highlighted the need to view recapitalisation as a catalyst for economic transformation and a gateway to new strategic opportunities.
“A stronger banking system lays the foundation for financing Nigeria’s long-term ambitions—from empowering MSMEs and expanding productive capacity to unlocking large-scale infrastructure development,” Verghis said. “The challenge before us is to translate stronger balance sheets into deeper financial intermediation, greater resilience, and inclusive growth that accelerates Nigeria’s journey toward a more competitive and sustainable economy.”
A high-level panel session further explored the real-world implications of recapitalisation for banks, corporates, and the wider economy. Panelists included Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director of Access Bank Plc; Deepak Bhojak, Group Treasurer for Africa Consumer Business at Tolaram; Johnson Chukwu, Managing Director of Cowry Asset Management; and Isaac Babatunde, Executive Director at Agusto & Co. The panel examined capital adequacy, risk management, credit deployment, and the banking sector’s role in driving sustainable economic development.
Also contributing to the discussions, Jimi Ogbobine, Head of Agusto Consulting—a wholly owned subsidiary of Agusto & Co.—delivered a concise macroeconomic briefing, offering insight into the key economic trends and uncertainties shaping Nigeria’s outlook in 2026.
The roundtable concluded with an interactive engagement session, encouraging collaboration and shared solutions among stakeholders committed to strengthening Nigeria’s financial system and enhancing economic resilience.
Agusto & Co. reaffirmed its commitment to providing independent research and thought leadership that supports informed decision-making for businesses, investors, and policymakers as Nigeria’s financial ecosystem continues to evolve.