E-Financial
NIBSS Partners PFS To Launch National Automated Cheque Clearing System

NIBSS collaborates with PFS to launch National Automated Cheque Cheque Clearing System
Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System [NIBSS] and Precise Financial Systems [PFS] have collaborated to unveil a new National Automated Clearing System [NACS], which allows all the Deposit Money Banks in the country to clear cheques within hours.
The banks have been test-running the infrastructure for 11 weeks ago and a total of N5 trillion worth of cheques from 10 million transactions has been processed through the new platform.
At the post go-live session in Lagos with representatives of the banks, Managing Director of NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi, explained that the institution had been on the project for over 18 months. He added that the infrastructure would allow all the banks to achieve several payment and non-payment transactions.
NIBSS’ boss said that as at today there are four clearing sessions. According to him, the advantage of having multiple clearing sessions was that the net amount against each bank is smaller so that risks are managed.
“With the new system, a cheque can be cleared within six hours, four hour or at whatever duration we agree”, he said.
The Managing Director of PFS, the software firm behind NACS, Dr. Yele Okeremi at the session said the process of clearing cheques in all Nigerian banks has been simplified with the launch of NACS and that the successful completion of the project has the door for more Nigerian firms to take on more national challenges.
Okeremi commended the collaborative effort that exists between NIBSS and PFS, saying that the partnership has given birth to the new system that “allows bank customers to experience the benefits of shorter cheque clearing cycles, as it reduces operational cost of the banks because the clearing departments of the bank can work smarter and close earlier”.
Expatiating on the reasons for the innovation, he said NIBSS needed a future proof system that would help the institution to realize its vision of a faster and more efficient clearing system that would be less resource intensive and accommodate various new requirements and practices in the clearing system.
“NIBSS wanted a system that can be incorporated with the Bank Verification Number [BVN]. They also wanted a situation where they would have a session-less system that would always be online such that banks could transmit their transactions as soon as they happen rather than a batch system that opens up at specific times and closes after stipulated time frames”, he said.
Head, Domestic Payments and Collections, Union Bank, Mr. Kolawole Aminu, described the new platform as user-friendly.
He added that “over N5 trillion that has been processed on the new platform just within 11 weeks. We are talking of over 10 million in terms of the volume of cheques. That tells you how much we do with this mode of payment.”
Okeremi said, “As MD of NIBSS have explained, what we have given the country is an infrastructure. It is a switch. It can switch anything. I look forward to when that infrastructure can be used for other transactions. When a country talks about independent, sovereignty, these are some of the things that matter. How much of your services are internal to you? Are you breathing through the nose of other countries and you claim you are independent? These are some of the things that make one happy and we can say that Nigeria’s problems are being gradually solved. There is a big road ahead.”
He said that whenever Nigerian government request foreigners to “do what we could have done for ourselves, we export prosperity and import poverty,” saying that “there is a national and sovereign security issue.
“If you go to any developed country, they would not allow foreigners to have access to certain critical infrastructure in their country. So why do we keep exposing our country to such sovereign risks. I think the fact that NIBSS has led the way in this direction, I expect other organizations to follow suit”, he said.
He expatiated that the Nigerian economy would benefit immensely from the new solution because it is “conceived and developed by Nigerians thereby saving some capital flight for the country”.
E-Financial
CBN Reaffirms Banking Sector Resilience as Forbearance Ends

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed the resilience and soundness of the Nigerian banking sector while unveiling a set of targeted transitional measures affecting a select number of financial institutions.
These measures represent the final phase in winding down the temporary regulatory accommodations introduced in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are intended to consolidate the gains achieved during that period of exceptional support.
The measures, announced in a circular signed by Hakama Sidi Ali, acting director of Corporate Communications, are not broad-based but instead apply to a limited group of banks. They include temporary restrictions on actions such as the payment of dividends and the disbursement of bonuses to executive management.
According to the CBN, these restrictions are meant to conserve internal capital, strengthen capital adequacy, and bolster long-term institutional resilience. The banks affected have been formally notified and are currently under enhanced regulatory engagement and close supervisory monitoring.
The regulatory move forms part of the CBN’s sequenced and structured implementation of the banking sector recapitalisation programme, which was formally introduced in 2023.
The programme is designed to align the banking sector with Nigeria’s broader economic development goals and ensure banks remain well-capitalised in line with the evolving demands of a growing economy. The majority of Nigerian banks have either met or are firmly on track to meet the new capital thresholds ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline set by the apex bank.
To support this transition, the CBN said it is providing narrowly defined allowances within its capital framework, ensuring flexibility without compromising prudential standards. These provisions are fully aligned with global best practices and reflect the CBN’s commitment to maintaining a forward-looking, risk-based regulatory environment.
In fact, Nigeria’s Risk-Based Capital requirements already exceed the minimum benchmarks set by the Basel III framework, highlighting the regulator’s proactive posture in safeguarding the financial system.
The central bank stressed that these actions are entirely routine within the broader framework of supervisory oversight and reflect international standards.
Emphasising its ongoing commitment to transparency and collaboration, the CBN reaffirmed that it will continue to engage stakeholders across the financial industry through established platforms including the Bankers’ Committee, the Body of Bank CEOs, and other relevant industry groups.
The engagement is expected to ensure that regulatory changes are well-understood, predictable, and effectively implemented with industry input.
The CBN restates that Nigeria’s banking system remains fundamentally strong, stable, and well-capitalised. The transitional guidelines announced do not signal distress within the system but are instead part of a broader, methodical reform process aimed at future-proofing the sector.
The apex bank underscored that these steps are designed to ensure that the banking industry remains a solid foundation for inclusive, sustained economic growth and national development.
E-Financial
SEC Working on Stablecoin Regulation Framework

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is working with developers to establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins, according to Dr. Emomotimi Agama, director-general, SEC.
Agama made this announcement during his keynote speech at the 2025 Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Conference.
Agama said the SEC’s commitment is to foster a responsible decentralized finance environment.
“The commission believes responsible DeFi can thrive in a regulated environment,” he said, highlighting the SEC’s efforts to enhance investor education through its “Crypto Smart, Nigeria Strong” initiative.
The program aims to educate young investors across schools, universities, and social media on blockchain basics, scam detection, and long-term investing benefits.
The SEC is also focusing on regulatory evolution, with plans to streamline its licensing regime.
“We are enhancing our licensing architecture to make it more efficient, more transparent, and more risk-based,” Agama noted.
The commission is exploring a framework for naira-pegged stablecoins, backed by verifiable reserves and audited by independent custodians, to facilitate cross-border trade and programmable finance.
It is also reviewing pathways for digital asset Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), custodial wallets for pension funds, and tokenized securities for institutional investors.
E-Financial
CBN Issues Transitional Guidance, Says Banks are Healthy

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced time-bound measures for a small number of banks still completing their transition from the temporary regulatory support provided.
The CBN stated yesterday that this step is a response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This step, the CBN said, is part of its broader, sequenced strategy to implement the recapitalisation programme announced in 2023.
CBN disclosed that the programme, which aligns with Nigeria’s long-term growth ambitions, has already led to significant capital inflows and balance sheet strengthening across the sector.
It said most banks have either completed or are on track to meet the new capital requirements well before the final implementation deadline of March 31, 2026.
It added that the measures announced apply only to a limited number of banks saying that these include temporary restrictions on capital distributions, such as dividends and bonuses, to support the retention of internally generated funds and bolster capital adequacy.
A statement by Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, acting director, Corporate Communication of the apex bank, explained that all the affected banks have been formally notified and remain under close supervisory engagement.
“To support a smooth transition, the CBN has allowed limited, time-bound flexibility within the capital framework, consistent with international regulatory norms. Nigeria generally maintains Risk-Based Capital requirements that are significantly more stringent than the global Basel III minimums.
“These adjustments reflect a well-established supervisory process consistent with global norms. Regulators in the U.S., Europe, and other major markets have implemented similar transitional measures as part of post-crisis reform efforts,” the bank stated.
It further added that it remains fully committed to continuous engagement with stakeholders throughout this period via the Bankers’ Committee, the Body of Bank CEOs, and other industry forums.
The goal is to ensure a transparent, predictable, and collaborative regulatory environment.
It assured that Nigeria’s banking sector remains fundamentally strong, explaining that the new measures are neither unusual nor cause for concern; they are a continuation of the orderly and deliberate implementation of reforms already underway.
- Telecom2 days ago
GSMA, Mobile Industry Call for Strengthened Action to Advance Child Online Protection in Africa
- Telecom1 day ago
ALTON Clarifies on Migration to End-User Billing for USSD Services
- News2 days ago
Digital Africa Global Consult, NDPC Partner on Ground-Breaking “Nigeria Data Challenge” Initiative
- General News2 days ago
TD Africa, HP Strengthen Partnership to Advance Africa’s Tech Ecosystem
- General News1 day ago
African Parliamentarians Seek Answers from Telcos on Quality of Service
- Telecom1 day ago
Lagos Future Conference 2025: Stakeholders Call for Digital Responsibility and Grassroots Innovation
- News1 day ago
DStv Rewards Loyal Customers with Free Package Upgrades
- News1 day ago
FCCPC Orders Air Peace to Appear Over Alleged Refund Violations