Two leading Nigerian commercial lenders, United Bank for Africa Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc, have officially notified the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public of potential delays in publishing their audited financial statements for the half-year ended 30 June 2026.
Both financial institutions confirmed obtaining approval from the NGX to extend their regulatory filing deadline to 30 September 2026, while awaiting final clearance from their primary regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Under NGX Post-Listing Rules, listed entities are required to file their half-year financial statements within 60 days following the end of the interim period, setting 29 August as the standard statutory deadline.
However, commercial banks, particularly those operating international subsidiaries or considering interim dividend payouts, are mandated by monetary guidelines to submit audited interim accounts to the apex bank for formal review and approval prior to public release.
In a corporate disclosure on Monday and dated 21 August 2026, UBA informed the market that its Board of Directors convened on 13 August 2026, and approved the bank’s financial statements for the half-year period.
However, the publication remains on hold pending statutory clearance.
Group Company Secretary and Legal Counsel at UBA, Bili Odum, noted, “The approval of the primary regulator is required before the release of the Results”.
Similarly, Fidelity Bank Plc reported that its half-year audit process is undergoing finalisation before submission to the central monetary authority.
In an official statement, Company Secretary at Fidelity Bank, Ezinwa Unuigboje, clarified the procedural steps required before public distribution: “The audit is currently being finalised, and upon completion, the AFS shall be presented to the Central Bank of Nigeria for approval and thereafter, published in compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Exchange Limited’s Rulebook and other relevant statutes/regulations”.
The extension reflects a broader trend across the Nigerian banking sector, where listed lenders routinely request extended filing windows to navigate comprehensive regulatory oversight, capital adequacy reviews, and balance sheet audits conducted by the CBN.
Both institutions reminded board members, key executives, and connected insiders that trading restrictions regarding dealings in the banks’ shares remain in force. The declared closed periods will stay active and will only be lifted 24 hours after the official publication of the audited half-year results.