Economy
27% of Nigerian Adults Financially Healthy, 34% Vulnerable—Report
By Adedapo Adesanya
The latest report from Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) has revealed that only 27 per cent of adults in Nigeria are financially healthy.
Business Post reports that financial health is reached when someone has funds in place to meet his short, mid and long-term needs and this could be in terms of income, savings and retirement planning.
In a survey titled The EFInA Access to Financial Services in Nigeria 2020, it was also revealed that 39 per cent of Nigerian adults are financially coping, while 34 per cent are financially vulnerable.
“Nigerians require a range of useful, affordable, and accessible financial services to meet all of their needs.
“Many Nigerian adults continue to rely on different types of providers to meet those needs; while the use of banks increased in 2020, so did the use of unregulated services such as savings groups and village associations,” the CEO of EFInA, Ms Ashley Immanuel, said at the presentation of the report.
It was also noted in the report that Nigeria, which prides itself as Africa’s largest economy, is lagging behind in its target for financial inclusion strategy for 2020, though it said more Nigerian adults are financially included, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy targets were not met.
The method points to strategies used to sets targets for overall financial inclusion, which counts Nigerians that use either formal financial services or informal financial services not nationally regulated, such as savings groups.
The report noted that, “Growth in digital financial services and agent banking highlights opportunities to drive faster progress toward financial inclusion, particularly for excluded groups such as women, rural and Northern Nigerians.
“For the first time, more than half of Nigerian adults are using formal (regulated) financial services.”
The report explained that 51 per cent of Nigerian adults use commercial banks, microfinance banks, mobile money, insurance, or pension accounts, up from 49 per cent in 2018.
“This has largely been driven by growth in banking, with 45 per cent of Nigerians banked in 2020, up from 40 per cent in 2018.
“The overall financial inclusion target was 80 per cent by 2020; EFInA data shows that only 64 per cent of Nigerian adults were financially included by the end of 2020.
“This means that 36 per cent of Nigerian adults, or 38 million adults, remain completely financially excluded.
“In addition, large gaps in financial access remain for some of Nigeria’s most financially excluded groups,” it said.
By gender inclusion, the report showed that women continue to be more financially excluded than men, with only 45 per cent of women using formal financial services, compared with 56 per cent of men.
“Adults in Northern Nigeria continue to be significantly more financially excluded than those in the southern zones, and rural adults are still more excluded than those in urban areas.
Young adults, between the ages of 18-25, are significantly more likely than older adults to be financially excluded.”
While further commenting on the report, Ms Immanuel disclosed that “At our current rate of progress, we will not reach the 2020 financial inclusion targets until around 2030.
“However, we can reach these targets much faster if we follow paths taken by other African countries that have seen rapid financial inclusion growth due to mobile money.
“EFInA’s Access to Financial Services in Nigeria Surveys show that the use of digital financial services and agent networks started to grow significantly between 2018 and 2020. Phone ownership has also increased, with 81 per cent of Nigerians now owning mobile phones.
“Now is the time to build on this initial progress and drive faster financial inclusion growth through digital financial services such as mobile money.
“We can do this by creating an open and the level playing field for a wide range of providers, creating the right environment for fintech to thrive, and encouraging partnerships between different providers.”
She explained further that financial inclusion can benefit individuals, families, and businesses, supporting key outcomes such as GDP growth.
The EFInA Access to Financial Services in Nigeria Survey highlights a significant market opportunity for financial service providers to address Nigerians’ financial needs.
It was noted that only 2 per cent of Nigerian adults are insured, but 18 million uninsured adults say they would be interested in micro-insurance.
Only 7 per cent of Nigerian adults have pension accounts, but 24 million adults without pensions are making regular savings for their retirement. While only 45 per cent of Nigerians are banked, 35 million unbanked Nigerians own mobile phones and could be reached with mobile money.
Mrs Gail Warrander, Economic Development Team Leader, Nigeria for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, remarked that “The EFInA Access to Financial Services in Nigeria 2020 Survey shows that Nigeria has made progress on financial inclusion but there’s still a way to go.
“The report models how the journey to the financial inclusion goal can be speeded up by encouraging the scale-up of mobile money.
“I firmly believe that the majority of those excluded, especially women and youth, could then enjoy the convenience of financial services, including using remote payments systems.
“This survey is full of rich data for policymakers, development partners and financial services companies to use,” she said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability (FSS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Aishah Ahmad, noted that “financial inclusion is a strong lever for bridging income inequality, combating poverty and preserving social harmony.
“The CBN has accordingly been at the forefront of the efforts to drive financial inclusion in Nigeria by championing the development & implementation of Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy led by the CBN Governor.”
The Deputy Governor and Chair of the Financial Inclusion Technical Committee stated that “Despite the progress achieved to date, critical groups remained excluded including women, rural dwellers and citizens in the northern area.
“To address the issue with women, CBN launched a Framework for Advancing Women’s Financial Inclusion in Nigeria in 2020 and is leading the industry to implement the framework, which we expect to lead to a significant increase in women financial inclusion in Nigeria.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has formally issued an operational licence to an insurance technology (insurtech) company, CBI Partnering Insurtech Limited.
It was the first issued by the regulator in Nigeria, and it is aimed at opening up the sub-sector of the underwriting industry to boost innovation and services.
This development underscores NAICOM’s regulatory leadership in fostering innovation within a structured and consumer-focused insurance ecosystem.
The licence was presented during a formal handover ceremony, where the commission reiterated its commitment to advancing innovation, regulatory reform, and policyholder protection across the insurance sector.
In his remarks, the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Finance and Administration, Mr Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts to align Nigeria’s insurance industry with global best practices.
He referenced the recent enactment of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, alongside the Commission’s pioneering insurtech guidelines, as some of the key pillars driving this transformation.
He noted that fostering innovation within a robust and well-governed regulatory framework remains a core strategic priority for the commission.
Mr Ekerete further emphasised that the licence is granted subject to strict compliance with regulatory and ethical standards, reinforcing NAICOM’s dual mandate of enabling innovation while safeguarding policyholders’ interests.
He also pointed to the growing international recognition of Nigeria’s regulatory approach, particularly in leveraging technology to accelerate insurance sector development.
While formally presenting the licence, he stated, “This milestone reflects the commission’s commitment to responsibly nurturing innovation across the insurance value chain.
“We congratulate CBI Partnering Insurtech Ltd and expect full compliance with all applicable regulations. This licence carries an obligation to uphold the highest standards of governance and ethical conduct.
“NAICOM remains committed to supporting the growth of insurtech while protecting the interests of Nigerians.”
In response, the Managing Director of CBI, Mr Suleiman Olalekan Ajani, expressed appreciation to NAICOM for its guidance and rigorous licensing process, stating:
“We are honoured to receive this licence from NAICOM. The Commission’s robust regulatory framework provides the foundation for us to scale strategic partnerships and deliver technology-driven insurance solutions that prioritise consumer trust, transparency, and protection.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange ended the first trading day of the week on a positive note, with a 0.39 per cent appreciation on Monday, May 25.
The positive vibe raised the market capitalisation of the trading platform by N10.11 billion to N2.571 trillion from last Friday’s N2.561 trillion, and lifted the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 16.89 points to 4,298.17 points from the previous 4,281.28 points.
Business Post reports that the bourse recorded three appreciating securities and one depreciating stock at the close of transactions, with the sole price decliner being 11 Plc, which lost N23.43 to sell at N221.10 per share compared with the preceding session’s N244.53 per share.
Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) Plc gained N3.78 yesterday to trade at N74.85 per unit versus the previous price of N71.07 per unit, NASD Plc improved its price by N2.86 to N37.36 per share from N34.50 per share, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc grew by 33 Kobo to N180.00 per unit from N179.67 per unit.
The volume of trades jumped by 153.1 per cent during the session to 59.2 million units from the preceding session’s 590,339 units, but the value of transactions fell by 37.9 per cent to N59.3 million from the N95.3 million achieved last Friday, and the number of deals contracted by 10 per cent to 27 deals from 30 deals.
Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units traded for N8.4 billion, trailed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units sold for N6.5 billion, and CSCS Plc with 61.2 million units exchanged for N4.1 billion.
GNI Plc also closed the trading day as the most traded equity by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units valued at N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units exchanged for N415.7 million.
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited ended in the green territory on Monday after it chalked up 0.57 per cent on the back of renewed buying interest in financial equities.
The local stock exchange witnessed the insurance and the banking counters closing higher by 0.54 per cent and 0.08 per cent, respectively, amid profit-taking in the others. The energy index shed 1.77 per cent and the consumer goods sector depreciated by 0.26 per cent, while the industrial goods industry was flat.
At the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) went up by 1,412.65 points to 251,125.02 points from 249,712.37 points, and the market capitalisation soared by N906 billion to N160.983 trillion from N160.077 trillion.
Investor sentiment was bullish yesterday after Customs Street ended with 35 price gainers and 30 price losers, indicating a positive market breadth index.
Airtel Africa surged 10.00 per cent to N3,655.70, International Energy Insurance advanced by 9.68 per cent to N3.74, Sovereign Trust Insurance went up by 9.65 per cent to N2.50, Caverton rose by 9.63 per cent to N7.40, and VFD Group gained 9.55 per cent to close at N10.90.
Conversely, McNichols lost 10.00 per cent to finish at N7.20, The Initiates dropped 9.91 per cent to trade at N30.45, Learn Africa slipped by 9.69 per cent to N11.65, Zichis crashed by 7.93 per cent to N30.98, and May and Baker declined by 6.60 per cent to N46.70.
During the trading day, market participants transacted 629.4 million shares worth N40.9 billion in 82,434 deals compared with the 711.9 million shares valued at 29.1 billion traded in 62,386 deals last Friday, implying a decline in the trading volume by 11.59 per cent, and a rise in the trading value and number of deals by 40.55 per cent and 32.14 per cent, respectively.
Access Holdings was the busiest equity for the session with a turnover of 61.3 million units valued at N1.5 billion. Zenith Bank traded 37.9 million units worth N5.0 billion, Fidelity Bank sold 35.8 million units for N851.2 million, Japaul exchanged 24.7 million units valued at N90.9 million, and Tantalizers transacted 22.8 million units worth N103.2 million.
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