The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has outlined its key priorities for 2026, emphasising banking system stability, tighter regulation of financial technology firms, inflation control, and modernisation of payments infrastructure, according to a statement issued by Governor Olayemi Cardoso on X (formerly Twitter).
Cardoso’s announcement underscores the bank’s continued reform-driven approach, aimed at restoring confidence in Nigeria’s financial system, strengthening macroeconomic stability, and supporting sustainable economic growth. The CBN’s strategic framework for the year targets four major pillars: safeguarding the banking sector, enhancing oversight of fintech activities, managing inflationary pressures, and upgrading payment systems to foster efficiency and financial inclusion.
On the banking system, Governor Cardoso stressed that a resilient and well-supervised sector is essential for maintaining public trust and enabling credit flows to productive sectors of the economy. To achieve this, the CBN will intensify supervisory activities and enforce stronger corporate governance practices within banks. This move comes amid ongoing efforts to shore up balance sheets and mitigate systemic risks following global economic uncertainty and domestic pressures.
Fintech regulation also features prominently in the agenda, reflecting the sector’s rapid expansion and evolving risk profile. The CBN has indicated plans to tighten rules governing digital lenders, payment service providers and other non-bank financial technology firms to ensure consumer protection, data security, and financial stability without stifling innovation.
Inflation control remains a central macroeconomic objective. Nigeria has grappled with elevated inflation in recent years, driven by food price pressures, FX volatility and supply disruptions. The CBN’s policy toolkit for 2026 aims to align monetary policy with broader fiscal efforts to rein in price growth and cushion vulnerable households.
Finally, modernising Nigeria’s payments infrastructure, including faster and more secure digital payment systems, is expected to support deeper financial inclusion and lower transaction costs for businesses and consumers. The CBN has previously championed initiatives such as instant payments and interoperable systems, which it plans to expand further in 2026.
