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CBN Urges Fintechs, Payment Service Providers to Stick to Standards

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has urged financial technology companies, payment service providers and Deposit Money Banks engaged in offering payment solutions to customers to ensure they adhere to policy framework and standards that guide their respective operations in the ecosystem in which they operate.

Mr. Musa Itopa Jimoh, Deputy Director, Payments System Policy and Oversight, Central Bank of Nigeria, stated this in Lagos in the week during the corporate launch of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited.

He explained that the CBN was trying to build an ecosystem that allows everyone to have equal opportunity to present and run his own system, adding that Fintech was introduced into payment system with the aim of deepening financial inclusion in Nigeria.

The event was witnessed by representatives of some state governments, Deposit Money Banks, fintech organisations, e-payment industries who commented on the quality and reliable services provided by Xpress Solutions.

The deputy director represented Mr. Samuel Okojere, Director, Payment Systems Management Department, CBN, who said the CBN made a commitment in 2011 to bring those that are outside the banking sector closer, hence the introduction of Fintech companies into payment space.

Okojere said: “What does CBN expect from the operators in the financial payment service providers? Number one is compliance with set standards. This is the only thing that can make you integrate to global best practices. If you are not complying with regulation, you cannot connect with the local one. There are rules that guide this service that we provide in Nigeria and also in the world.

“It is our joy today that our cards can go anywhere in the world and is being used. This is because we comply with the best practices, and I’m happy to hear that Xpress Payments has also competed in certification on PCIDSS.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that we all behave very well within the financial ecosystem. And so compliance is a major responsibility.

“I want to imagine that added to that responsibility of the board members is cyber-crime, you also check and ensure that you comply with all the directives of CBN. Actually, non-compliance can bring your company down.”

The director, who charged the board of directors and other stakeholders in the financial services to take privacy and protection of customers data seriously, disclosed that bringing more people on board so they can benefit from financial services that payment providers offer “is one of the core responsibilities of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

He said the cashless policy introduced by the apex bank was also meant to encourage more Nigerians to adopt electronic payment.

“And again, to strengthen that, we came with a cashless policy basically to see how we can encourage people to adopt electronic payment option so that all these fanciful solutions that you have provided can be enjoyed. Without cashless policy, I can decide not to pay my tax in cash. If I pay my tax in cash, then you have no revenue, you are not even in equation.

“It’s only when I chose to make my revenue collection through electronic form that a solution becomes very effective. Central Bank is driving that through cashless policy and encouraging all Nigerians to adopt electronic means of payment.”

Oluwadare Owolabi, Managing Director/CEO, Xpress Payment Solutions Ltd, noted that every sector of human endeavour in the globe had been extensively characterised by technological disruption.

“The need to satisfy the ever-increasing demands of customers for better service quality and innovations that work within the e-Payment industry coupled with this technological revolution created the dream that necessitated the birth of the company we are celebrating today.

“Consequently, distinguished guests, we started the journey with a clear focus and understanding of the needs of our target markets which formed the bedrock of our core business drivers: Easy, Fast, Secure.

With these, our aim was to provide a stress-free experience for you by creating solutions that enable smarter living. This we knew from the onset can only be realised by the assemblage of experienced and exceptional team and deployment of the cutting edge technology.”

According to him, the commitment to deepen financial inclusion penetration in Nigeria and provide a seamless and hitch-free transaction experience for customers led to the creation of an array of e-Payment products and services by the organisation that had been embraced and deployed by some state governments in the federation and some commercial banks as well.


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E-Financial

Edun, Finance Minister Inaugurates NDIC New Management

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Mr Wale Edun, minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the Economy,  has inaugurated Mr Thompson Oludare Sunday, new managing director/chief executive officer of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and Dr Kabir Sabo Katata, executive director (Operations),  at the Ministry of Finance, Abuja.

Mr Wale Edun, minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the Economy, flanked by Mr Thompson Oludare Sunday, new managing director/chief executive officer of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and Dr Kabir Sabo Katata, executive director (Operations),

In his speech during the occasion, the Minister submitted that the NDIC, as a component of the financial safety-net has a crucial role to play in the nation’s march to economic stability and prosperity.

He therefore charged the Management team to bring their diverse wealth of experience to bear on their new assignment while assuring them of the ministry’s full support in the task ahead.

Responding, Mr Sunday who spoke on behalf of the Management team, expressed appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their appointment.

He assured the Hon Minister of the readiness of the Management under his leadership to live up to expectations of the President in particular and the nation in general in the discharge of their duties.

The Management  later received by the Corporation’s Head Office with a warm welcome by the workforce.

A statement signed by Hawwau Gambo, head, Communication & Public Affairs Department, revealed that Addressing the workers on behalf the Management team, Mr. Sunday promised to work in harmony with the staff to move the Corporation to its next level performance.

He stressed that the Management’s focus would be based on the public policy objectives, functions and mandate devolved on the Corporation by the enabling law that established it.

Thompson Oludare Sunday is a seasoned financial expert with over 30 years of regulatory and supervisory experience.

Having cut his teeth with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1989, he went ahead to acquire high-end knowledge in Central Banking, spending 24 unbroken years in banking supervision.

While his vast experience is in the regulation and supervision of licensed institutions, his deep expertise span corporate governance, risk management and compliance as veritable tool for ensuring the safety and soundness of institutions.

He is a highly analytical and cross functional team worker with strong interest in building individual and institutional capacity for transformation and excellence.

Thompson’s skills and experience were horned by several key responsibilities and special assignments he handled for the apex Bank before his retirement as a Director 2021.

Kabir Sabo Katata, ED (Operations),  is a quantitative energy strategist and computational finance expert with strong power trading and risk management experience.

He has over twenty-eight years’ experience in the design and management of technically innovative systems in multiple industries including telecommunications, IT, energy (petroleum & power), finance and government.

He is a specialist in sophisticated financial optimization, the application of modern statistical techniques and mathematics to energy, deposit insurance and banking sectors.

Dr. Katata joined the service of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation in 2012 as an Assistant Director in the Research, Policy and International Relations Department and rose to the pinnacle of his career as Director in January 2022, before his new appointment as Executive Director (Operations).

 

 


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Union Bank Rewards Customers with ₦5 Million Each in Save and Win Palli Promo Season 4 Grand Finale

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Union Bank of Nigeria has proudly concluded the fourth edition of its acclaimed Save and Win Palli Promo, awarding three fortunate customers a life-changing ₦5 million each at the grand finale. Since its inception, this transformative campaign has disbursed over ₦330 million in cash and gift prizes, touching the lives of more than 5,000 customers nationwide and elevating their financial prospects.

The grand prize winners, representing diverse regions across the country, emerged through transparent electronic draws supervised by regulatory authorities. The celebrated recipients, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Isah (Zaria Branch, North), Atilabor Seikemefa Friday (Sapele Branch, South-South), and Oluranti Ogunluyi (Ilaro Branch, South-West), received their prizes at The Stallion Plaza, Union Bank’s Head Office, Marina, Lagos, in the presence of other winners, and the Bank’s executive leadership led by Managing Director/CEO Yetunde Oni.

Vivian Imoh-Ita, Head of Retail and SME Business, reflected on the enduring impact of the campaign: “Over the past four years, the Save and Win Palli Promo has enriched the lives of thousands, providing crucial financial relief and rewarding diligent savers. We are unwavering in our commitment to empowering our customers so they may thrive and achieve their ambitions.”

Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilola Aluko, highlighted the Bank’s broader mission: “Union Bank is delighted by the ripple effect our targeted savings initiatives have created. We have seen a significant boost in savings culture, allowing customers to reach their financial goals, while our innovative promotions continue to cushion economic challenges and foster responsible financial habits.”

Kicking off in December 2024 and concluding in May 2025, the latest season saw over 3,000 customers rewarded with gifts and cash, including motorcycles, tricycles, fuel vouchers, and substantial cash prizes, with total giveaways exceeding ₦131 million.

To qualify, customers maintained a minimum balance of ₦10,000 and completed at least five transactions monthly. Monthly draw winners received ₦100,000, while quarterly draws featured exciting prizes such as motorcycles and tricycles.

As Season 4 draws to a close, Union Bank reaffirms its dedication to nurturing customer growth and extending robust financial support nationwide. Through continued innovation, the Bank remains steadfast in its mission to empower Nigerians and foster sustainable wealth for all.


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NIBBS: Banks Close 29.4m Accounts, Dormant Accounts Hit 33.39m

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Banks in Nigeria closed 29.4 million accounts as of March 2025, according to the latest report by the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS).

NIBBS: Banks Close 29.4m Accounts, Dormant Accounts Hit 33.39m

The figure represents a sharp year-on-year increase of 30.43 per cent from the 22.54 million closed accounts recorded in March 2024.

It also reflects a steady rise in account closures over recent months, with 33.29 million closed accounts reported in February 2025 and 29.43 million in January.

The report also revealed a significant increase in dormant accounts, which surged to 33.39 million in March 2025, up from 19.79 million in the same period in 2024, a 71.3 per cent rise in inactive accounts over the past year.

Despite the spike in closures and dormant accounts, the number of active bank accounts rose from 219.64 million in March 2024 to 320.05 million in March 2025, representing an increase of over 100 million, or 45.7 per cent.

NIBSS defines a dormant account as one that has seen no deposit, withdrawal, transfer, or point-of-sale transaction for a period of six months.

The surge in account closures and dormancy follows the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive issued in December 2023, mandating commercial banks to restrict Tier-1 accounts not linked to a Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) by March 1, 2024.

In response to the directive, BVN enrolment increased from 61.6 million in April 2024 to 66.23 million by July 2025, as more Nigerians rushed to meet the CBN’s compliance deadline.

 

 


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