Banking
Fitch Upgrades Access Bank National Rating to ‘A+(nga)’
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Access Bank Plc’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B’. The Outlook is Stable and at the same time upgraded the lender’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(nga)’ from ‘A(nga)’. All other ratings have been affirmed.
The upgrade of Access’ National Long-Term Rating reflects Fitch’s view of an improvement in its creditworthiness relative to other rated Nigerian institutions. This considers continued expansion of the bank’s franchise and stable asset quality.
Access Bank’s IDRs are driven by the bank’s intrinsic creditworthiness as defined by its Viability Rating (VR). Access’ VR reflects solid financial metrics, which are stronger than most Nigerian banks.
Asset quality metrics compare especially well with its immediate peers. The bank’s stock of non-performing loans has remained under control, comprising 2.6% of gross loans at end-September 2017, the lowest of all large Nigerian banks. In our view, resilient asset quality reflects Access’ good corporate banking franchise and good management stability, including a robust risk management framework. A high Fitch Core Capital ratio (19.6% at end-September 2017) also provides a buffer against potential asset quality deterioration.
Asset quality has remained favourable despite challenging operating conditions in Nigeria, including tight liquidity in both local and foreign currency. Tight liquidity dates back to the sharp fall in oil prices, which has also adversely impacted asset quality sector wide.
Access’ VR also considers adequate profitability, albeit lower than the highest rated Nigerian banks. This reflects a larger cost base and Access’ modest retail franchise, resulting in a higher cost of funding than peers, although low loan impairment charges partially offset this. Access’ smaller retail franchise increases reliance on wholesale funding sources (as evidenced by its higher cost of funding). However, large cash holdings (22% of assets at end-September 2017) provide sufficient liquidity to mitigate this. The refinancing of the bank’s Eurobond in 2016 eased the bank’s foreign currency liquidity position.
Access’ National Ratings are a reflection of its relative creditworthiness to the best credits in Nigeria.
The long- and short-term ratings on Access’ senior unsecured programme have been affirmed at ‘B’. The long-term rating of senior debt issued under the programme has also been affirmed at ‘B’ with a Recovery Rating of ‘RR4’ indicating average recovery prospects.
The long-term rating on subordinated debt issued by Access is notched down once from its VR to ‘B-‘. This reflects higher loss severity compared to senior debt. The Recovery Rating has been affirmed at ‘RR5’, a lower expected recovery than senior debt issued by the bank.
Fitch believes that sovereign support to Nigerian banks cannot be relied on given Nigeria’s (B+/Negative) weak ability to provide support, particularly in foreign currency. In addition, there are no clear messages from the authorities regarding their willingness to support the banking system. Therefore, the Support Rating Floor of all Nigerian banks is ‘No Floor’ and all Support Ratings are ‘5’. This reflects our view that senior creditors cannot rely on receiving full and timely extraordinary support from the Nigerian sovereign if any of the banks become non-viable.
RATING SENSITIVITIES
IDRS, VIABILITY RATING AND NATIONAL RATINGS
Access’ IDRs are sensitive to rating action on its VR. Access’ VR is sensitive to a material weakening of liquidity. The VR is also sensitive to a sharp deterioration in asset quality that would erode capital and threaten the bank’s viability. This is not Fitch’s base case. An upgrade of the bank’s IDRs would require continued improvement in financial metrics to the level of the highest rated banks in the country. In particular, a material improvement in the bank’s funding structure in order to capture a greater share of stable low retail cost deposits would be credit positive.
Access’ National Ratings are sensitive to a change in its creditworthiness relative to other Nigerian banks.
The long-term and short-term ratings on Access’ senior unsecured programme are sensitive to any change in Access’ IDRs.
SUBORDINATED DEBT
The long-term rating on subordinated debt issued by Access is sensitive to any change in Access’ VR.
SUPPORT RATING AND SUPPORT RATING FLOOR
The SR is potentially sensitive to any change in assumptions around the propensity or ability of the sovereign to provide timely support to the bank.
The rating actions are as follows:
Long-Term IDR affirmed at ‘B’; Outlook Stable
Short-Term IDR affirmed at ‘B’
Viability Rating affirmed at ‘b’
Support Rating affirmed at ‘5’
Support Rating Floor affirmed at ‘No Floor’
National Long-Term Rating upgraded to A+(nga) from ‘A(nga)’
National Short-Term Rating affirmed at ‘F1(nga)’
Senior unsecured long-term rating affirmed at ‘B/RR4’
Senior unsecured short-term rating affirmed at ‘B’
Subordinated long-term rating affirmed at ‘B-‘/’RR5’
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for failing to account for N3 trillion in public funds, alleged to be missing or diverted.
The lawsuit followed the grave allegations contained in the latest annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025. It includes over N629 billion paid to ‘unknown beneficiaries’ as part of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/250/2026 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the CBN to account for and explain the whereabouts of the missing or diverted N3 trillion of public funds, including detailed reports of how exactly the funds were spent.”
In the suit, SERAP argued that, “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the CBN Act, and anticorruption standards.”
SERAP is arguing that, “These grave violations also reflect a failure of CBN accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institution’s persistent failure to comply with its Act and to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.”
According to SERAP, “These violations have seriously undermined the ability of the CBN to effectively discharge its statutory functions and the public trust and confidence in the bank. The CBN ought to be committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the missing or diverted public funds. Granting the reliefs sought would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers: Ms Oluwakemi Agunbiade and Ms Valentina Adegoke, read in part: “According to the Auditor-General, the CBN in 2022 failed to remit over N1 trillion [N1,445,593,400,000.00] of ‘the Federal Government’s portion of operating surplus’ into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) account.”
“The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been ‘diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The CBN also failed to recover over N629 billion [N629,040,000,000.00] paid to ‘unknown beneficiaries’ as part of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, a programme ‘meant to support farmers to ensure sustainable food production in the country,’” it said.
SERAP noted that the Auditor-General raised serious concerns over financial management at the apex bank, citing unaccounted intervention funds and unrecovered loans running into hundreds of billions of naira.
The report noted that the number of beneficiaries who collected certain disbursed funds remains unknown and that efforts to recover the money have been inadequate. Over N784.4 billion in unpaid and overdue loans issued between 2018 and May 2022 remain outstanding, with fears that diversion of funds may have worsened food security challenges. The Auditor-General has called for full recovery and remittance of the funds to the treasury.
The report also questions over N125.37 billion spent by the CBN in 2022 on intervention activities allegedly linked to national security, federal and state government engagements, and financial sector capacity building. According to the Auditor-General, there was no documentary evidence to support the expenditure, nor proof of approval by the National Assembly. He warned that the spending may not align with Section 2 of the CBN Act and could have been diverted, again urging that the funds be recovered and paid into the treasury.
Further scrutiny revealed that the CBN “unjustifiably” spent N1.79 billion on 43 operational vehicles for the Nigeria Immigration Service, despite no clear connection to the Bank’s statutory mandate and no evidence of delivery or procurement documentation. Additionally, 43 contracts worth over N189.5 billion allegedly suffered deliberate delays, leading to irregular contract variations of over N9.27 billion without proper records. The Katsina branch of the CBN also failed to recover over N90 million in COVID-19 intervention loans to SMEs.
In each case, SERAP noted that the Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds may have been diverted or mismanaged and demanded recovery and remittance to the treasury.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) says depositors of failed banks in Nigeria can now access their insured funds within days.
The corporation said the development is a part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening confidence in the country’s financial system.
The chief executive of NDIC, Mr Thompson Sunday, disclosed this on Thursday at the NDIC Special Day of the 47th Kaduna International Trade Fair, noting that recent interventions had significantly improved the speed and efficiency of depositor compensation.
Represented by Mrs Regina Dimlong, the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Mr Sunday said the corporation had successfully deployed the Bank Verification Number (BVN) system to facilitate prompt payments to customers of recently failed banks, including Heritage Bank Limited, Union Homes Plc and Aso Savings and Loans Plc.
“Depositors were paid within days of closure without the need to fill physical forms or visit NDIC offices.
“This is a part of our reform efforts to make depositor protection faster, simpler and more transparent,” he said.
According to him, the reforms were designed to restore public confidence in the banking system and prevent panic withdrawals, especially during periods of financial stress.
Mr Sunday explained that NDIC’s mandate spans deposit insurance, bank supervision, distress resolution and liquidation of failed banks, adding that the Corporation works closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure early detection of risks in insured institutions.
He disclosed that in 2024, NDIC reviewed its deposit insurance framework, increasing coverage for depositors of Deposit Money Banks, Mobile Money Operators and Non-Interest Banks to N5 million, while customers of Microfinance Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks and Payment Service Banks are now covered up to N2 million.
He noted that the revised thresholds now guarantee full protection for about 99 per cent of depositors nationwide, particularly small savers and low-income earners.
The NDIC boss urged Nigerians to ensure their BVNs are properly linked to their bank accounts, stressing that this had become the primary channel for accessing insured deposits in the event of bank failure.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has secured a major strategic gain at the ongoing 39th African Union Summit, after securing a permanent seat on the board of the African Central Bank.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed this at the summit on Friday, highlighting it as a significant milestone for both Nigeria and the West African region.
The African Central Bank (ACB) is one of the original five financial institutions and specialised agencies of the African Union (AU).
“Importantly, Nigeria has been given the hosting of the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank. Not only that, in today’s plenary, Nigeria was confirmed a seat on the board of the African Central Bank. This is huge,” he said.
He stated that the development represents a diplomatic breakthrough, mentioning that the move faced initial opposition from some member states.
“It is something that was initially resisted by some countries, so now we have a permanent seat on the African Central Bank board. It’s a major success,” he added.
This year’s summit carries the theme Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063, the sessions will focus on advancing continental commitments to sustainable water management and improved sanitation, critical pillars for health, agricultural productivity, and the broader development aspirations of the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Beyond financial governance, Nigeria and the West African bloc also recorded progress in elections to the Peace and Security Council, the African Union’s highest decision-making body on conflict and security matters.
The delegation announced that “Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and the Republic of Benin have been elected,” with Benin securing a fresh term while the other two countries were re-elected.
The Peace and Security Council also convened to deliberate on the situations in Sudan and Somalia. Nigeria voiced strong reservations over Sudan’s potential readmission into the continental body.
“Nigeria voiced its reservations about Sudan being readmitted because, as you know, there are two warring factions in Sudan,” Tuggar stated.
“We reminded the Peace and Security Council that we have to abide by the rules and regulations of the African Union. If there has been an unconstitutional change of government, then the country should not be allowed to participate, and that was carried.”
The summit also outlined its 2026 theme: water sustainability. The Nigerian representative underscored the country’s strategic and demographic significance in advancing that agenda.
“Nigeria was created out of the confluence of the River Niger and the River Benue. So water is very important,” he said.
“We are the largest country in Africa, with a population of 230 million people. We’re going to be 400 million in the next 24 years. So water is a source of life. It’s very important, and we’re playing a very pivotal role in implementing the programs that are being set for the theme of the year.”
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