Apex bank cites insolvency, inactivity, capital deficiencies and unauthorised closure as reasons for the sweeping action.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licences of 46 microfinance banks across the country over their failure to meet regulatory requirements.

The decision, which takes effect from July 1, 2026, was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.

According to the apex bank, the revocation was approved by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso in line with the provisions of Sections 12 and 13 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020.

The CBN said the affected banks were sanctioned for one or more regulatory violations, including insufficient assets to meet liabilities, closure of operations without the bank’s approval, prolonged inactivity and cessation of financial intermediation, failure to commence operations within 12 months of receiving their licences, and failure to maintain the required minimum capital base.

The apex bank explained that the action forms part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s financial system, protect depositors’ funds, and ensure that licensed financial institutions operate in compliance with existing laws and prudential regulations.

Reaffirming its commitment to financial sector stability, the CBN said it would continue to take appropriate supervisory and regulatory actions against institutions that fail to meet prescribed standards in order to maintain public confidence in the country’s banking system.

Full List: 46 Microfinance Banks Lose CBN Licences

Below is a full list of the microfinance banks with their operating licences revoked:

S/NOMFB NAMECATEGORYSTATE
1Minji-Se Churchill MFBTier 1Rivers
2Merchant MFBTier 2Abia
3Janmaa MFBTier 1Kwara
4Busu MFBTier 2Niger
5Gold MFBTier 1Lagos
6Zain MFB (formerly Dawakin Tofa MFB)Tier 2Kano
7Bompai MFBTier 1Kano
8Ajwa MFB (Formerly Gezawa)Tier 2Kano
9NOW NOW DIGITAL MFBTier 2Kano
10Crystabel Microfinance BankTier 1Bayelsa
11Chanelle MFBStateLagos
12Abia SME MFBTier 1Abia
13Kamba MFBTier 2Kebbi
14Iwade MFBTier 2Ogun
15Winview MFBTier 1Abuja
16Zuru MFBTier 2Kebbi
17Minjibir MFBTier 1Kano
18Shanono MFBTier 2Kano
19Sumaila MFBTier 2Kano
20Rimin Gado MFBTier 2Kano
21Mwaghavul MFBStatePlateau
22Sycamore MFBTier 2Kano
23TOFA MFBTier 2Kano
24Safegate MFBTier 1Lagos
25Creekline MFBTier 2Delta
26Bestar MFBTier 1Oyo
27Livingspring MFBTier 1Cross River
28Apple MFBTier 2Ogun
29Stanford MFBStateUyo (Akwa Ibom)
30Frontline MFBTier 2Anambra
31Zafec MFBTier 2Kaduna
32Supreme MFBTier 1Lagos
33Bejin-Doko MFBTier 2Niger
34Kanopoly MFBTier 1Kano
35Bellbank MFB (formerly Tsanyawa)Tier 2Kano
36Yeneng MFBTier 2Plateau
37Creditville MFBTier 1Lagos
38MBAG MFBTier 1Lagos
39STRAIGHT SAHARA MFBTier 1Benue
40OURPASS MFBTier 2Ondo
41VERDANT MFBTier 1Lagos
42BASAWA MFBTier 2Kaduna
43CASHA MFBTier 2Abuja
44ESTEEM MFBTier 2Kano
45ENTERPRENEUR MFBTier 1Lagos
46AVANTUS MFBTier 2Osun

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