Nigeria's digital lending industry is shifting as lenders reduce unsecured instant loans and focus on borrowers with verifiable income, established credit histories and predictable cash flows, according to Nairametrics. The change follows rules introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which are pushing digital lenders toward safer lending practices and away from high-risk instant loan products that previously dominated the market.

Punch's morning recap rounds up major Nigerian stories, including former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai demanding N10 billion from Defence Minister Christopher Musa, the federal government tightening foreign travel rules, and NAFDAC blaming Chinese dealers for the circulation of fake goods in Nigeria. The recap also covers concerns over student loan risks and protests in Sokoto State, according to the newspaper's roundup of the day's top headlines.

Nigeria's National Communications Commission (NCC) has gained veto power over significant telecom deals, a move it claims will benefit investors. The effectiveness of this new regulation will depend on the NCC's ability to approve transactions promptly, which will be crucial for major players like Airtel, MTN, and Glo.

According to Vanguard, Nigerians are increasingly adopting digital financial platforms amid inflation that erodes purchasing power, the naira's weakness against foreign currencies, and memories of the 2023 cash scarcity. The article highlights DigitvantPay as a notable platform in this space, presenting it as part of a broader shift in how Nigerians save, spend, and borrow money through digital services offering convenience and reliability.

Nigeria's non-performing loans (NPLs) ratio increased to 9.85% in February 2026, nearly double the acceptable threshold of 5%. This rise followed the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) withdrawal of regulatory forbearance, which led lenders to reclassify previously deferred exposures. The information was detailed in the CBN's February 2026 Economic Report released on Wednesday.

Experts have shared differing views on the effects of new regulatory frameworks implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the fintech sector in Nigeria. The introduction of these rules has led to a division within the industry regarding their potential impact.