Nigeria’s first Islamic banking institution, Jaiz Bank, has been granted license to operate as a national bank.

Chairman of the board of directors of the bank, Alhaji Umaru Abdul-Muttalab, who spoke at a meeting in Abuja, said that the bank plans to spread its branches across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory in the next months.

The meeting was organised to fashion out ways of making the bank function better in the days ahead.

Part of the plan, according to officials of the bank, is to improve on its services through its various arms and with the feat just achieved, they promised a better deal for Nigerians willing to bank with them.

Alhaji Abdul-Mutallab announced series of measures taken by the bank, especially through its subsidiaries, in contributing their quota to the nation’s development.

In his response, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Saad Abubakar, applauded the management of the bank for a job well done over the years. He also promised to collaborate closely with the bank.

Established over three years ago with 25 branches in some parts of the country, officials of the bank promise to achieve more using its national licence.

They also want Nigerians to look forward to non-interest banking at its best in the days ahead.

•Sourced from Channels TV. Photo shows Jaiz Bank Chairman, Umaru Abdul-Muttalab.