Tinubu hails milestone as bank expands long-term financing, supports 1.6 million jobs and over 7,000 enterprises….
The Bank of Industry says it disbursed a record N636 billion to businesses across Nigeria in 2025, marking the largest annual financing volume since its establishment.
In its 2025 Impact Report released on Wednesday, the development finance institution said the funds were channelled to more than 7,000 businesses operating across manufacturing, agribusiness, micro, small and medium enterprises, infrastructure, power, information and communications technology, and the creative industry.
President Bola Tinubu commended the bank for the achievement, describing it as clear evidence that ongoing macroeconomic reforms are strengthening development finance and improving access to long-term capital for Nigerian businesses.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president said the performance reflects reform-driven credibility and institutional discipline.
“The N636 billion disbursed by the Bank of Industry in 2025 translates directly into productive capacity across Nigeria,” Tinubu said, adding that the expansion of long-term capital access at a time of global financing constraints demonstrates the impact of reforms and improved institutional strength.
The bank attributed the milestone to its shift “from strategy to scale” under its 2025–2027 transformation agenda, which focuses on strengthening its balance sheet, improving operational efficiency, expanding access to long-term funding, and aligning financing with national economic and industrial priorities.
BOI noted that the strong performance came despite global macroeconomic pressures that widened financing gaps and placed additional strain on development finance institutions. Demand for its facilities increased during the year, driven largely by the availability of relatively cheaper and longer-tenured financing.
According to the report, sectoral disbursements included N202 billion to agro-allied enterprises, N100 billion to infrastructure, N79 billion to manufacturing, N77 billion to extractive industries, and N55 billion to services.
The bank said part of the financing was supported by a €2 billion syndicated facility secured in late 2024, the Federal Government’s N200 billion MSME loans and grants programme, and an additional €210 million mobilised from international partners in 2025. It also deployed N73 billion in managed and matching funds on behalf of state governments and institutional partners.
BOI maintained strong asset quality during the year, recording a non-performing loan ratio below 1.5 percent. Under the Federal Government’s N200 billion intervention programme, the bank achieved over 95 percent performance as the disbursing institution, while the presidential conditional grant scheme reached 957,400 beneficiaries in 2025.
A breakdown of financing by business size showed N51 billion went to nano enterprises, N32 billion to micro businesses, N178 billion to small and medium enterprises, and N375 billion to large enterprises.
The bank said its interventions contributed to the creation and retention of about 1.6 million jobs, supported more than 7,000 new MSMEs, and funded 570 startups.
Inclusive finance remained a priority, with the bank highlighting its N10 billion Guaranteed Loans for Women programme, which provides up to N50 million in affordable financing per beneficiary. Youth-owned businesses received N12 billion in funding, while the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development supported 880 rural enterprises with more than N6.5 billion across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
BOI also reported key development outcomes, including upgrading a tomato processing facility from 3.1 metric tonnes to 10 metric tonnes per hour, linking 47,508 smallholder farmers to processing centres, and deploying 100 mini-grids in partnership with development finance institutions, connecting 11,777 new electricity customers.
The bank said N100 billion was channelled into critical national infrastructure covering broadband, power, aviation and transportation, while projects financed by the institution contributed to an estimated annual reduction of over 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme, BOI prepared 500 founders for investment, funded 100 technology ventures, and trained 400 young people through innovation initiatives, with the programme targeting more than 300,000 Nigerians.
Commenting on the performance, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOI, Olasupo Olusi, said the milestone aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to accelerate industrialisation, diversify the economy, and promote inclusive growth.
“Achieving over N600 billion in loan disbursements in 2025 marks a significant milestone for the Bank of Industry and supports the national vision of strengthening industrial capacity, creating jobs, and driving inclusive economic development,” Olusi said.
The bank added that it strengthened its institutional standing during the year, becoming Nigeria’s first national implementing entity to the United Nations Adaptation Fund and the first development finance institution in the country to obtain privacy information management system certification.
It also received several recognitions, including Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in Nigeria 2025, Best Company in Financial Inclusion, and Best Company in Infrastructure Development at the SERAS Awards.
