Nigeria’s Bank of Industry said its 2025 financing had an estimated impact on 1.68 million jobs as disbursements climbed to ₦644.9 billion, highlighting the scale of lending by the country’s development finance institution.
BOI’s 2025 Annual Development Impact Report records ₦644.9 billion in disbursements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025. Its 2024 annual report records ₦510.9 billion, making the increase a calculated 26.2%.
BOI says the ₦644.9 billion was disbursed to 7,078 direct businesses. A separate count puts enterprises financed at 12,501, including 5,423 reached through on-lending.
The 1.68 million figure is an estimate, not a count of newly hired workers. It includes direct and indirect jobs as well as existing positions the bank classed as supported. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Olasupo Olusi said the estimate covered jobs “across value chains nationwide.”
BOI says it used beneficiary surveys and employment multipliers to calculate the figure. KPMG reviewed selected impact information under a limited-assurance engagement, according to the report.
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) received ₦266 billion, about 41% of annual disbursements. BOI linked demand for MSME financing to constrained access to commercial credit and rising operating costs. The report identifies those firms as a priority for the bank’s lending.
More than 20% of disbursements went to gender- and youth-focused businesses, BOI said. The bank also reported ₦108.47 billion for critical infrastructure, including broadband, power, aviation and transportation.
BOI says its strategy tracks development outcomes alongside financing. The report describes 2025 as the first full year of the 2025–2027 Corporate Strategy. Olusi said the bank planned to broaden implementation in 2026 and focus on sustaining results in 2027, Premium Times reported.
