Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said more than 281 million depositors across the country’s banking system are protected against bank failure, following reforms that significantly expanded deposit insurance coverage and accelerated reimbursement of customers of failed banks.

Thompson Sunday, managing director and chief executive officer, NDIC, disclosed this on Monday during the second quarter 2026 Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement Session organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.

According to Sunday, the corporation currently provides deposit insurance coverage across 914 licensed financial institutions, while over 98 per cent of depositors are fully insured for their entire balances following the upward review of deposit insurance limits in May 2024.

A copy of his presentation document read, “914 licenced banks covered, every Deposit Money Banks, Non-Interest Banks, microfinance bank, Primary Mortgage Banks and Mobile Money Operators in Nigeria; more than 281 million bank depositors across all insured institutions are protected by the corporation.”

The NDIC boss said the improved coverage followed the first review of the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage since 2016.

Under the revised framework, insurance coverage for depositors in Deposit Money Banks increased from N500,000 to N5m, while customers of Microfinance Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks and Payment Service Banks now enjoy insurance cover of up to N2m. Mobile money subscribers are also covered up to N5m.

He said the reform resulted in 98.98 per cent of Deposit Money Bank customers being fully insured, compared with 89.2 per cent before the review, while full coverage for customers of Microfinance Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks and Payment Service Banks rose to 99.27 per cent, 99.34 per cent and 99.99 per cent respectively.

Sunday also highlighted improvements in the speed of reimbursing depositors after bank failures, saying technology had reduced payment timelines from years to days through the use of the Bank Verification Number.

He noted that the corporation has so far paid more than N54.93bn in insured deposits to Heritage Bank customers, reaching 698,040 depositors.

The NDIC boss also disclosed that in 2025 alone, the NDIC paid N4.06bn to 13,446 insured depositors and N33.59bn to uninsured depositors of failed banks.

Sunday said the reforms were reinforced by the NDIC Act 2023, which replaced the 2006 Act and strengthened the corporation’s powers to resolve failing banks, recover assets and protect depositors.

He said the law also gives depositors priority over creditors and shareholders during bank liquidation, strengthens the Deposit Insurance Fund and enhances the corporation’s asset recovery and enforcement powers.

The NDIC further disclosed that it carried out 287 on-site examinations of banks in 2025, resolved 1,196 out of 1,407 depositor complaints received during the year and continued off-site surveillance as an early warning mechanism in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

It also noted that 32 banks met the March 31, 2026 recapitalisation deadline after raising more than N4.61tn in fresh capital, with the corporation supporting the CBN through capital verification, monitoring capital quality and identifying undercapitalised banks early.

Also speaking, Mr Raymond Omachi, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, said the engagement formed part of the ministry’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability and communication with citizens and key stakeholders.

According to Omachi, the platform enables the ministry to share its policies, programmes and achievements in implementing the Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables assigned to its agencies.

Omachi said, “This engagement is part of the Federal Ministry of Finance’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and communication with citizens and key stakeholders.

“As a critical component of the nation’s financial safety-net framework, the NDIC plays an important role in protecting depositors, promoting public confidence in the banking system, and contributing to the stability of the financial sector.”

Wema Bank Plc has suspended its operations on Telegram following a surge in scams involving fake accounts impersonating the bank and defrauding customers.

The bank disclosed this in an email to customers on Monday, urging them not to engage with any Telegram accounts impersonating Wema Bank.

This is coming amid Wema Bank’s effort to contain the increasing number of accounts impersonating the bank on social media in recent times.

On 7 June, Wema Bank temporarily blocked communication on its account X, citing the need to protect customers from fraudulent activities and account impersonation.

The lender urged customers to halt interactions with its ‘Wema’ and ‘Alat’ accounts on the platform until further notice.

On Monday, Wema Bank said its routine security checks revealed a spike in the rate of accounts impersonating the bank and trying to defraud its customers on Telegram.

The financial institution stated that its efforts to suspend its operations aim at protecting the interests of its customers, noting that its ALAT platform is not available on Telegram.

ALAT is the lender’s digital banking platform.

“Our routine checks and security sweeps have shown a spike in the rate of customers falling victim to scam accounts and fraudsters using fake Telegram accounts.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to proactively protect your interests, we want to remind you that Wema Bank and ALAT are NOT on Telegram,” the bank stated.

The move emphasises the growing cybersecurity threats facing Nigeria’s banking sector and other institutions in Nigeria.

Responding to the threat, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in March gave banks a three-week deadline to complete a mandatory cybersecurity self-assessment as part of efforts to strengthen the resilience of the country’s financial system.

CBN said the exercise is designed to improve risk-based supervision and strengthen regulatory oversight of cybersecurity risks across Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

“We are not on Telegram. Please do not contact us on Telegram or engage with any Telegram account claiming to represent Wema Bank or ALAT. Please do not attempt to contact us on Telegram,” Wema Bank said, urging customers to contact the bank only through its verified Instagram account, official email address, and customer service phone lines.

Ossai Ovie Success, special assistant on Media to the Governor of Delta State, has defended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu over the backlash trailing her recent advice encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses.

Ossai Ovie Success, special assistant on Media to the Governor of Delta State

The controversy followed a viral video in which the First Lady urged unemployed Nigerians, particularly women, to consider starting businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli, noting that such ventures require little start-up capital.

Her remarks sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians arguing that government officials should focus on creating jobs rather than encouraging citizens to take up petty trading.

Reacting to the criticism in a post shared on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Ossai said he was surprised that many people looked down on the akara business, insisting it can generate more income than some white-collar jobs.

According to him, an akara seller operating in a strategic location can earn substantial profits with just a few hours of work daily.

“Akara business is better than a bank job sometimes. If you fry akara in a good location, after all costs, you make N20 per akara and sell 500 pieces every day,” he wrote.

Ossai estimated that such a business could generate about N10,000 daily, translating to approximately N60,000 weekly and N240,000 monthly, while noting that some operators earn well above N1 million every month.

“How much again is a bank job? Ask yourself,” he said.

The Delta governor’s aide also argued that the business is not as demanding as many people assume, saying it typically requires only a few hours of work each day.

“Before I forget, know that akara business is not a 6-to-6 job. It’s about three hours daily.

“I am disappointed in those looking down on akara business,” he added.

The remarks add to the growing debate sparked by the First Lady’s comments, with supporters describing entrepreneurship as a practical means of livelihood, while critics argue that the government should prioritise policies that create sustainable employment opportunities for Nigerians.