The Central Bank of Nigeria directed commercial banks to restrict access to certain banking services for large ticket borrowers with non performing loans. Officials took the step on March 12, 2026 to safeguard the financial system and strengthen credit discipline.
Central Bank Issues Circular
Dr Olubukola Akinwunmi Akinniyi signed the circular as director of banking supervision at the Central Bank of Nigeria. The document reached banks the next day and ordered immediate action.
Strictly, The regulator acted to limit risks from major defaulters. Additionally the move built on earlier rules from 2014 that barred loan defaulters from fresh credit.
Details of Restrictions
The Central Bank of Nigeria stated clear limits in the circular. “Any large ticket obligor with a non performing facility recorded in the CRMS and or any licensed private credit bureau shall not be granted additional credit facilities” it directed.
Therefore, The bank defined credit facilities to include loans and other direct credit forms. Moreover it barred such obligors from banking facilities or contingent liabilities.
“In addition such obligors shall not be granted banking facilities or contingent liabilities such as bankers confirmations letters of credit performance bonds or advance payment guarantees” the circular continued.
Definition of Affected Borrowers
Large ticket obligors include borrowers whose exposures exceed the single obligor limit as set in Clause 3.2 d of the Prudential Guidelines for Deposit Money Banks. The Central Bank of Nigeria explained that these cases affect a bank capital adequacy ratio or pose systemic risk.
Moreover, Banks must check records in the Credit Risk Management System and reports from licensed private credit bureaus to identify them. The directive applied only to those whose loans had turned non performing.