CSOs Warn of Economic Hardship as CBN Revokes 46 Microfinance Bank Licences Nationwide

A coalition of civil society organisations has expressed deep concern over the revocation of the operating licences of 46 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), warning that the decision could worsen financial exclusion, weaken grassroots economic activities and inflict hardship on millions of Nigerians, particularly in Kano State.

The concern was contained in a joint statement signed by Comrade Bashir Shehu, Executive Director of the African Centre for Civil Rights, Social Justice and Good Governance, and Hajiya Lami Adamu Garba, Executive Director of the Centre for Women Development Initiative, Katsina, on behalf of a coalition of eight civil society organisations.

The coalition noted that Kano State was among the worst affected by the licence revocation, with 13 of the affected microfinance banks located in the state out of the 46 licences withdrawn nationwide.

According to the statement, Kano previously had about 40 licensed microfinance banks, meaning that nearly one-third of the state’s microfinance institutions have now lost their operating licences.

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The organisations observed that the affected banks play a critical role in providing financial services to low-income earners, petty traders, small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), women, farmers and rural communities that are often excluded from conventional banking services.

They warned that the closures could lead to increased financial exclusion, disruption of small businesses, loss of public confidence in the microfinance sector, reduced access to credit and savings facilities, and broader socio-economic challenges in communities that rely heavily on microfinance institutions.

While acknowledging the CBN’s statutory responsibility to regulate the financial sector and ensure compliance with banking standards, the coalition stressed that regulatory actions should be implemented in a manner that also protects depositors, preserves public confidence and promotes financial inclusion.

The groups urged the CBN to review the decision where possible and work with relevant stakeholders to minimise the impact on affected communities. They also called on the Kano State Government, members of the National Assembly and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to ensure that depositors’ funds are protected and that viable microfinance institutions receive the necessary support to strengthen their operations.

The coalition further advocated improved financial literacy programmes, enhanced regulatory guidance and capacity-building initiatives for microfinance banks, arguing that preventive reforms and institutional support would yield better long-term outcomes than actions capable of widening the country’s financial inclusion gap.

The organisations maintained that protecting access to community-based financial services remains essential to economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development, urging all relevant authorities to take immediate steps to safeguard the interests of affected Nigerians.