Central Bank of Nigeria outlines five priorities for fintech growth

Governor Yemi Cardoso of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced five priorities for the next phase of fintech development at the 3rd Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026 in Lagos. The priorities call for digital financial services that are reliable, secure, fair, accessible and resilient, with clear pricing, prompt complaint resolution and swift reversal of failed transactions. Cardoso stressed that cybersecurity and fraud prevention must be a shared responsibility and that institutions should continually invest in secure technology, effective controls and customer education. Assistant Director Babatunde Ajiboye, speaking for Director of Payments System Supervision Dr Rakiya Yusuf, added that competition must remain open and fair, giving qualified participants equal access to essential payment infrastructure. The CBN said achieving these outcomes will require collaboration among banks, fintech firms, mobile‑money operators, payment switches, processors, telecom companies, consumer groups and government agencies. Cardoso expressed optimism, noting Nigeria’s young, entrepreneurial population, growing internet connectivity and the innovative capacity of its financial institutions, and said the country could become a model for Africa and the wider world. The bank pledged to continue supporting innovation while acting against market conduct, concentration, weak governance or operational risks that threaten customers or system stability.