The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is set to roll out new regulations on debit card issuance and ATM operations to tackle recurring congestion and cash access problems across the banking sector.
CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso disclosed the plan through his Special Adviser, Fatai Karim, at the 2026 Committee of Heads of Bank Operations Conference on Friday.
Under the proposed policy, banks will be required to align the number of debit cards they issue with the size and capacity of their ATM networks. The apex bank said this measure is aimed at reducing overcrowding at ATMs, frequent machine breakdowns, and uneven cash availability nationwide.
The CBN noted that persistent ATM failures and cash shortages have continued to erode public trust in electronic payment systems, despite the rapid expansion of digital banking and cashless transactions.
According to the bank, excessive card issuance without adequate ATM infrastructure weakens the credibility of the entire payment ecosystem whenever customers are unable to access cash due to prolonged outages or poor cash distribution.
Karim added that the CBN is currently consulting with key industry stakeholders and expects the new policy to take effect within the coming months, possibly before the end of the second quarter of 2026.
The initiative is expected to improve ATM efficiency, strengthen cash distribution, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s electronic payment system for both banks and customers.
