The Business NG - BusinessNg

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Editorial Focus: Digital Banking Redefines Nigeria’s Financial Landscape Nigeria’s banking industry is undergoing a decisive transformation, marked by a rapid shift from brick-and-mortar operations to digital and agent-based services. The closure of 229 physical bank branches within one year, as highlighted in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s 2024 Financial Sector Statistical Bulletin, reflects changing consumer behaviour and a redefinition of service delivery across the financial sector. Customers are increasingly embracing Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, mobile banking apps, and other electronic payment channels for routine transactions, reducing dependence on traditional branches. This evolution signals not a retreat, but a strategic realignment as banks leverage technology to improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and expand reach. Agent banking has emerged as a powerful enabler of financial inclusion, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas where access to formal banking was previously limited. The growing network of PoS agents has brought essential financial services closer to underserved communities while creating jobs and supporting small businesses. As Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem deepens, the challenge for regulators and operators alike is to strengthen infrastructure, security, and consumer protection, ensuring that innovation translates into sustainable, inclusive growth for the economy.