The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has outlined a reform agenda for 2026 centred on banking system stability, tighter fintech regulation, inflation control and the modernisation of Nigeria’s payments infrastructure, signalling a continuation of its reform-driven policy stance.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso said the apex bank’s focus for the year ahead reflects its commitment to restoring confidence in the financial system, strengthening macroeconomic stability and supporting sustainable economic growth.
According to Cardoso, strengthening the banking sector remains a core priority, with the CBN set to intensify supervision and reinforce corporate governance standards across the industry. He noted that a resilient and well-governed banking system is critical to maintaining public trust and sustaining economic activity.
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“As we begin 2026, our priorities are clear,” Cardoso said. “We will continue to strengthen the banking system through rigorous supervision and sound governance; refine our inflation-targeting framework to deliver durable price stability; modernise the payments infrastructure to improve efficiency and inclusion; and foster responsible fintech innovation anchored on consumer protection and financial integrity.”
Inflation control, he added, remains central to the CBN’s mandate. The bank plans to rely on more disciplined, data-driven monetary policy tools to anchor inflation expectations and stabilise the broader economy after a period marked by high inflation and exchange-rate volatility.
On the fast-growing fintech sector, Cardoso stressed that innovation must be balanced with robust regulation. While fintechs have expanded access to financial services, he said the CBN would prioritise consumer protection and financial integrity to curb regulatory arbitrage and mitigate systemic risks.
The governor also disclosed plans to modernise Nigeria’s payments infrastructure as part of efforts to deepen financial inclusion, lower transaction costs and improve efficiency, particularly for underserved and informal segments of the economy.
In addition, the apex bank intends to strengthen its internal capacity by deploying advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence-enabled tools to enhance policy formulation, regulatory oversight and execution.
Cardoso said the CBN would also deepen strategic partnerships aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s credibility and positioning the central bank as a trusted and forward-looking institution on the global stage.
Nigeria’s financial system has come under significant strain in recent years due to elevated inflation, rising living costs and currency volatility, prompting aggressive monetary tightening and regulatory reforms. Against this backdrop, the CBN’s 2026 agenda points to a continued emphasis on stability rather than short-term stimulus.
For banks and fintech firms, the policy direction suggests stricter supervision and clearer regulatory expectations. For the wider economy, sustained inflation control and improved payments infrastructure could help reduce transaction frictions and support economic activity over the medium term.
The agenda reinforces the CBN’s view that economic reform is a gradual process requiring consistency and discipline, as the apex bank seeks to entrench long-term stability in Nigeria’s economy.
In its 2026 Macroeconomic Outlook for Nigeria, the CBN projected that headline inflation would moderate to an average of 12.94% during the year, supported by improved domestic supply conditions and stabilising energy prices, which are expected to ease cost pressures on households and businesses.
