Banking
NDIC Pays Fresh N24.3bn to Defunct Heritage Bank Depositors
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has declared the second liquidation dividend payment of N24.3 billion for depositors of the defunct Heritage Bank Limited.
The payment will be made to customers whose account balances exceeded the statutory insured limit of N5 million at the time the bank was closed on June 3, 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Head of Communication and Public Affairs Department, Mrs Hawwau Gambo, noting that the new payment, eligible for uninsured depositors, will receive 5.2 Kobo per N1 on their outstanding balances, bringing the cumulative liquidation dividend to 14.4 Kobo per N1 when combined with the first tranche paid earlier.
According to the corporation, it first paid insured deposits of up to N5 million per depositor from its Deposit Insurance Fund, ensuring that small depositors had prompt access to their funds despite the bank’s failure.
NDIC said that in April 2025, it declared and paid a first liquidation dividend of N46.6 billion, equivalent to 9.2 kobo per N1, to depositors with balances above the insured limit, setting the stage for further recoveries as assets were realised.
This latest payout follows the revocation of Heritage Bank’s operating license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on June 3, 2024, after which the NDIC was appointed as liquidator in line with the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and the NDIC Act 2023.
According to the NDIC, the second liquidation dividend of N24.3 billion was made possible through sustained recovery of debts owed to the defunct bank, disposal of physical assets, and realisation of investments.
The corporation said the payment was effected in line with Section 72 of the NDIC Act 2023, which governs the distribution of liquidation proceeds.
The NDIC noted that these recoveries reflect ongoing efforts to maximise value from Heritage Bank’s assets, assuring depositors that the liquidation process remains active and focused on full reimbursement where possible.
The corporation disclosed that payments will be credited automatically to eligible depositors’ alternative bank accounts already captured in NDIC records using their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN).
Depositors who have received their insured deposits and the first liquidation dividend have been advised to check their accounts for confirmation of the latest payment, while those yet to receive any payout are encouraged to regularise their status.
For depositors without alternative bank accounts or BVNs, or those who have not claimed their insured deposits or first liquidation dividend, the NDIC advised them to visit the nearest NDIC office nationwide or submit an e-claim via the Corporation’s website for prompt processing.
It added that further liquidation dividends will be paid as more assets are realised and outstanding debts recovered.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A collaboration to enable fast money transfers into Nigeria has been entered into between Flutterwave and Xoom, PayPal’s international digital money transfer service.
The partnership allows Xoom transfers to be converted by Flutterwave and settled locally in Naira, enabling quick transfers directly into recipients’ bank accounts at Access Bank, UBA, Zenith Bank, First Bank, GTBank, and additional participating banks across Nigeria.
The deal also enables Xoom’s global network with Flutterwave’s local payout infrastructure, allowing users globally to send funds directly into Nigerian bank accounts with improved speed and efficiency.
Nigeria is the leading remittance recipient in Sub-Saharan Africa, receiving over $20 billion in personal remittances in 2024. Despite this volume, receiving international payments has historically remained complex due to FX constraints and settlement delays. This collaboration helps address those challenges in a market of more than 232 million people, where the ICT sector is projected to contribute 21 per cent of GDP by 2027.
By combining Xoom’s expansive reach with Flutterwave’s local compliance and banking partnerships, the two companies are providing a more accessible financial corridor for the continent.
Xoom, a PayPal service, is a fast and secure international digital money transfer service that enables consumers to send money, pay bills, and reload phones for friends and family in approximately 160 markets globally.
As part of PayPal’s global payments ecosystem, Xoom leverages advanced fraud protection, compliance capabilities, and a trusted global network to help millions of customers move money quickly and securely across borders.
“We’re excited to have been chosen by Xoom for their Nigeria expansion. Millions of Nigerians rely on money from abroad to support everyday needs, whether it’s families receiving help from loved ones, freelancers getting paid for their work, or individuals earning income from the global economy. This helps make it easy and more reliable for people in Nigeria to receive funds and stay connected to opportunities beyond borders,” the chief executive of Flutterwave, Mr Olugbenga GB Agboola, stated.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
An initiative known as Nigeria Lightning Rounds, designed to expand funding opportunities for Nigerian startups and small businesses by connecting founders with local and international investors, has been launched by ProvidusUnity Bank, in partnership with US-based global venture firm and accelerator, gener8tor.
Scheduled to be held on July 15, 2026, Nigeria Lightning Rounds will feature carefully selected startups engaging with targeted investors who have expressed interest in supporting Nigerian innovation.
Participating founders will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses through focused 15-minute virtual sessions facilitated by gener8tor and ProvidusUnity Bank’s networks.
The program will focus on high-growth sectors including fintech, healthtech, manufacturing, sustainability, and AI, but welcomes SMEs from all industries, with intending participants urged to apply via https://www.gener8tor.com/lightning-rounds/nigeria.
“We recognise that access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Through our partnership with gener8tor, we are creating a platform that connects promising Nigerian founders with investors who can provide the support required to scale their businesses,” the Head of Business Development at ProvidusUnity Bank, Mr Ernest Elue, stated.
“The partnership reinforces ProvidusUnity Bank’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting innovation, enabling access to opportunities, and creating pathways for businesses with high-growth potential,” he added.
Also commenting, the Director of Lightning Rounds at gener8tor, Ms Elizabeth Larios, said, “gener8tor is thrilled to partner with ProvidusUnity Bank to extend the Lightning Rounds model into Nigeria.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to building equitable ecosystems and driving capital to the most promising and underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
Lightning Rounds are a signature initiative of gener8tor’s investment platform, which has facilitated thousands of investor-startup meetings globally. The format is optimised to eliminate friction, reduce bias in early-stage fundraising, and help founders secure capital from investors aligned with their mission and stage. gener8tor’s previous Lightning Rounds for Nigerian Founders in 2025 featured 18 participating Investors and led to 50 investment meetings facilitated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The verification of the depositors of the 46 microfinance banks, whose operating licenses were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over a week ago, has commenced.
The exercise, aimed at refunding those whose funds were trapped in the small lenders, is being conducted by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
In a statement on Thursday, the agency said its staff members have been positioned at the offices of the affected banks across the country to attend to depositors.
It was disclosed that depositors of the defunct banks, who had their Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) linked to their accounts in the failed banks, will be paid through their alternative accounts in existing banks.
However, depositors whose BVNs were not linked to their accounts in the failed banks have been encouraged to visit the affected banks’ offices with proof of account ownership, a passport photograph, verifiable means of identification (Driver’s Licence, Permanent Voter’s Card, International Passport or National ID Card) and BVN.
NDIC also stated that depositors can alternatively file their claims online through its website: www.ndic.gov.ng, to complete the Pre-Verification Claims Form by clicking on the Search Bar, and typing Pre-Verification Claims Form; opening the Form and filling in their details. They can also do so by clicking the link: https://ndic.gov.ng/ndic-pre-verification-claims-form/ or by visiting any of the NDIC offices closest to them to file their claims.
For further enquiries, the corporation can be reached on any of the following lines: 09037273810, 09038197064, 08104220807, 09064657140.
