Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has stated that the regulator will maintain heightened supervision of the banking sector despite the successful conclusion of the recent recapitalisation exercise.

Speaking at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum, Cardoso noted that while the industry raised between N4 trillion and N5 trillion in fresh capital to build resilience against economic shocks, continuous oversight remains essential. He emphasized that the stronger capital base is intended to support eventual increased lending to the private sector once inflation and interest rates moderate. Cardoso also warned banks against indiscriminate lending, urging them to prioritize sophisticated risk management and proper analysis, especially when navigating complex sectors like oil and gas. The CBN plans to collaborate with financial institutions to enhance their internal risk assessment capabilities.

Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc reported an 11% decline in net profit to N1.22 billion for the 2025 financial year, despite achieving a record revenue of N5.25 billion—a 28% increase driven primarily by its equipment rental business.

The profit shortfall was attributed to a 94% surge in administrative expenses to N1.66 billion and rising finance costs. While the company improved its gross margin to 57%, it recorded a negative operating cash flow of N4.29 billion, largely due to increased working capital requirements and higher payments to suppliers.

Despite these earnings pressures, Japaul bolstered its balance sheet through a successful capital raise, increasing total equity to N20.61 billion. The firm is currently pivoting toward solid minerals and large-scale dredging projects, including a N30 billion contract in Lagos and gold mining operations expected to commence in Q3 2026. Investor confidence remains firm, with the stock price up 31% year-to-date.