The Bank of Industry (BOI) disbursed a record N636 billion to about 7,000 businesses in 2025, marking one of the highest annual funding interventions in the institution’s history. The development underscores the bank’s expanding role in supporting key sectors of Nigeria’s economy and driving job creation.
According to details released on the intervention, the funding covered multiple sectors considered critical to economic growth and diversification. Agro-allied enterprises received the largest share, with N202 billion allocated to support agricultural processing and value chain development.
Infrastructure projects accounted for N100 billion of the total disbursement. The funding targeted areas aimed at improving industrial capacity and strengthening the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
The manufacturing sector received N79 billion, reflecting continued efforts to boost local production and reduce reliance on imports. The support was directed at enhancing productivity, modernising equipment, and expanding operations for manufacturers across the country.
Extractive industries were allocated N77 billion to strengthen operations within Nigeria’s natural resources segment. The funding was designed to promote responsible extraction and encourage value addition within the sector.
The services sector benefited from N55 billion in financing. This allocation supported businesses in areas such as healthcare, education, information technology, and other service-driven enterprises that contribute significantly to employment and economic activity.
BOI said the combined interventions contributed to the creation of approximately 1.6 million jobs across the supported sectors. The jobs include both direct and indirect employment generated through expanded business activities and supply chain linkages.
The record disbursement reflects the bank’s commitment to deepening financial inclusion for small, medium, and large-scale enterprises. By providing long-term financing at competitive rates, the institution aims to bridge funding gaps that often constrain business growth.
Industry analysts noted that the significant allocation to agro-allied enterprises aligns with national efforts to strengthen food security and expand export potential. Increased investment in agricultural processing is expected to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance value addition.
The infrastructure funding component is also seen as critical to unlocking broader industrial development. Improved infrastructure, particularly in power, transport, and industrial facilities, remains essential to sustaining manufacturing and services growth.
Manufacturing sector stakeholders have consistently called for accessible financing to address operational costs and upgrade production lines. The N79 billion injection is expected to ease some of these constraints and improve competitiveness.
Similarly, investment in extractive industries is aimed at encouraging more structured development of Nigeria’s resource base. By supporting responsible operations, the funding seeks to enhance revenue generation and promote sustainability.
The services sector allocation highlights the growing importance of non-oil activities in driving economic expansion. Service-based enterprises continue to play a major role in employment generation, particularly among youth and technology-driven startups.
BOI’s record performance in 2025 comes amid broader economic reforms designed to stimulate private sector growth. The bank has maintained that supporting enterprises across diverse sectors remains central to fostering inclusive development.
Observers say the scale of the disbursement demonstrates renewed institutional capacity and stronger alignment with national economic priorities. Sustained access to finance is widely regarded as a key factor in improving productivity and competitiveness.
As businesses continue to navigate evolving economic conditions, stakeholders are expected to monitor how effectively the funds translate into measurable output growth and long-term sustainability. The N636 billion intervention marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s development finance landscape and reinforces the Bank of Industry’s position as a leading catalyst for enterprise growth.
