E-Financial
W’Bank Says Cash Transfer Missed Millions of Needy Nigerians
The World Bank has faulted the Federal Government’s conditional cash transfer programme, stating that the initiative failed to reach millions of Nigerians in need of urgent economic relief, as only 37 per cent of the targeted households had so far benefited from the scheme.
It said the scheme launched in 2023 after the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market by the current administration, only reached 5.6 million households out of the planned 15 million, two years after the launch.
The global lender disclosed this in its latest Nigeria Development Update report titled “Building Momentum for Inclusive Growth”, released in Abuja.
The World Bank had approved a loan of $800m for the programme.
According to the report, a combination of surging inflation and sluggish economic growth has pushed an additional 40 million Nigerians into poverty since 2019, raising the poverty headcount to 46 per cent of the population.
“Successive years of rising inflation and sluggish growth have increased poverty and hardship levels. Since 2018/19, an additional 40 million people fell into poverty, and nearly half of all Nigerians (46 per cent) are estimated to have been living in poverty in 2024.
“Labour incomes have not kept up with inflation, depleting the purchasing power of Nigerians. Poverty has deepened and broadened, especially among urban Nigerians,” the report stated.
In response to the deepening hardship, the Federal Government had launched a temporary cash transfer programme aimed at supporting 15 million vulnerable households.
But the World Bank said the roll-out has been slow and inadequate. It stressed that efforts to urgently provide support to the poorest and most economically at-risk households should be redoubled and expanded.
“Only 5.6 million households—around 37 per cent—have received at least one tranche of direct transfers. Further expansion of the programme remains dependent on biometrically verifying at least one adult member of the household with a foundational digital identity. Also, efforts to urgently provide support to the poorest and most economically at-risk households should be redoubled and expanded,” the bank noted.
It warned that unless urgent efforts are made to scale up support, millions of poor and economically insecure Nigerians risk being left behind amid rising living costs and eroding incomes.
The bank advised the Federal Government to urgently improve its social protection framework, accelerate cash transfer distribution, and reallocate a portion of its recent revenue gains to targeted social programmes.
The report added, “Alongside macroeconomic reforms and emergency cash support, stronger growth and a robust social protection framework are essential to promote productive livelihoods.
“Leveraging early dividends from macroeconomic reforms, Nigeria’s social protection system should be structurally strengthened, with a focus on providing the foundation for human capital investments, promoting economic inclusion, building resilience, and breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty.
“This needs to be complemented by growth-oriented reforms and higher, more efficient investments in public services, especially in health, education, and infrastructure.
“With more than half of the population below the poverty line, poor and economically insecure households need assistance to regain economic agency and cope with shocks.”
It recommended the creation of up-to-date social registries with verified digital identities as the foundation for targeting pro-poor initiatives. Beyond emergency interventions, the Bank stressed the need for structural reforms and investments in public services to ensure long-term poverty reduction.
“Leveraging early dividends from macroeconomic reforms, Nigeria’s social protection system should be structurally strengthened with a focus on promoting economic inclusion, building resilience, and breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty,” it said.
The report also called for increased and more efficient investments in critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure, to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that the cost of issuing or replacing a standard debit or credit card will rise by 50 percent to about N1,500, up from about N1,000.
The new charge is contained in the Exposure Draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria, 2026, released by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The draft followed a circular issued to banks, other financial institutions and the public, dated April 21, 2026, and signed by Rita I. Sike, director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department.
Under the revised guide, issuance and replacement of regular or basic debit and credit cards will attract a N1,500 fee, while charges for premium debit, credit or hybrid cards will be negotiable.
In the 2020 guide, debit card charges were fixed at N1,000 as a one-off fee for issuance, replacement of lost or damaged cards, and renewal upon expiry, applicable across all card types.
The CBN said the review is part of its mandate to promote a safe and sound financial system, accelerate the adoption of innovative financial services, and enhance financial inclusion, particularly in micropayments and transactions.
According to the regulator, the revised guide expands the range of financial services, encourages innovation, strengthens oversight and accountability, and promotes financial inclusion through lower tariffs for micropayments. It also updates certain banking charges to support increased use of electronic channels and accommodate new industry participants since the 2020 version.
The apex bank said the draft has been exposed to the public for comments and input on the proposed fees, with submissions expected via [email protected] on or before May 08, 2026.
The guide provides a framework for the application of charges, including fees and rates, on products and services offered by financial institutions in Nigeria. It applies to all institutions licensed or regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The charges, according to the regulator, were developed following extensive consultations with stakeholders and are aimed at enhancing flexibility, standardisation, transparency and competition in the financial system.
It added that where charges are designated as negotiable, financial institutions must inform customers of their right to negotiate at the start of transactions and reach mutual agreement on applicable fees through verifiable means.
Where limits are specified, charges must not exceed the prescribed maximum or fall below the minimum.
The apex bank noted that the guide is not exhaustive and that financial institutions must seek prior approval before introducing new products, services or charges not covered.
The framework applies to a wide range of institutions, including commercial banks, merchant banks, payment service banks, non-interest banks, microfinance banks, finance companies, primary mortgage banks, development finance institutions, credit guarantee companies, mobile money operators, and other institutions designated by the regulator.
In line with existing consumer protection regulations, the apex bank said non-credit charges can only be applied to the extent of the available account balance, with any outstanding fees deferred until the account is funded. Such deferred charges will not attract interest.
The guide is to be read alongside the relevant guidance notes and glossary provisions and will supersede the 2020 version when it takes effect on May 1, 2026.
ProvidusBank Plc has commissioned a new branch in Ado-Ekiti, advancing its expansion strategy across Nigeria’s high-growth markets while leveraging its compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalisation directive since January 2025.
ProvidusBank
The move aims to enhance financial inclusion, support local enterprises, and deliver banking services closer to communities and businesses.
At the event, Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer, Deoye Ojuroye, described the rollout as part of a 12-month plan to bolster the bank’s nationwide presence.
“Our approach is deliberate—we are growing in the right places, supporting real economic activity, and building a bank that is both resilient and responsive to customer needs,” Ojuroye said.
He emphasised the bank’s robust capital and risk management, stating: “We are well capitalised within our regulatory category, giving us confidence to expand responsibly while aiding businesses and communities.”
ProvidusBank plans further branches in strategic locations over the next year, underscoring its focus on scalability, accessibility, and sustainable growth as a trusted partner for individuals and enterprises.
E-Financial
Fidelity Bank Bolsters SME Growth with April Masterclass Series on Pricing, Digital Tools, Global Trade
Fidelity Bank Plc has launched a series of high-impact masterclasses in April 2026 to empower Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with practical skills for pricing, digital expansion, and international growth.
Fidelity Bank
The initiative aligns with the bank’s drive to boost SME operational efficiency and market access amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The flagship session, “Pricing That Works: How to Charge Right and Earn More,” took place on April 10 at the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos. It drew about 100 entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, offering insights into costing, value-based pricing, pricing psychology, and customer perception to ensure profitable, customer-friendly strategies.
Buoyed by positive feedback, the bank rolled out three more sessions. The second, “Baking Masterclass: From Kitchen to Cashflow,” ran on April 14 and 15, providing hands-on training for bakers and food businesses to enhance product quality and profitability.
Divisional Head, SME Banking, Ugochi Osinigwe, stated: “At Fidelity Bank, we believe that when SMEs succeed, the economy grows. That is why we have curated masterclasses on pricing, product improvement, online sales, and global expansion to equip entrepreneurs with immediate, actionable tools.”
She highlighted the series as part of broader SME support via the Fidelity SME Hub, including advisory services, funding, and nationwide programmes. The bank recently earned the Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers.
Upcoming events include “Grow Online Sales on a Budget” today, April 24, focusing on low-cost digital strategies for visibility and sales; and “Take Your Business Global: One-on-One Trade Advisory” on April 29, covering export readiness, payments, markets, and compliance.
Fidelity Bank, ranked among Nigeria’s top lenders, serves over 10 million customers via 255 branches, digital platforms, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. It has clinched awards like the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking from BusinessDay BAFI Awards, Most Innovative Mobile Banking App from Global Business Outlook, Best Bank for SMEs from Euromoney, and Export Financing Bank of the Year from BusinessDay BAFI.
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