CREDITCORP Commends  Successful Take-off of  FG’s Consumer Credit  Scheme 

Chinedu Eze

The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDITCORP) has expressed satisfaction with the successful roll out of the federal government’s consumer credit scheme targeting millions of Nigerians.

The Managing Director/CEO of CREDITCORP, Uzoma Nwagba, gave credit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his passion to  empower everyday Nigerians by bringing this initiative to life and ensuring that consumer credit does not remain a privilege of the few but a right for the many.

“Under the pilot programme  of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, five trusted financial institutions so far including  FCMB’s Credit Direct (focused on civil servants), Wema Bank, Accion MFB, Letshego MFB, and Abbey Mortgage Bank, now offer consumer credit to help Nigerians tackle the growing financial pressure caused by rising costs of petrol and energy.

Through this pilot, everyday Nigerians start gaining access to cheaper credit (up to 50 per cent  reduction in rates) to meet urgent household expenses, access cheaper energy solutions, and invest in their future. This is not merely about loans; it is about empowerment. You may learn more about these offerings, and apply, at credicorp.ng/apply,” Nwagba said.

He gave credit to these aforementioned financial institutions and described them as early adopters, noting that the  “waves” will get bigger, faster, comprising  several more institutions out of the over 200 that have now filled our detailed Expressions of Interest.

“For too long, most Nigerians have lacked access to consumer credit. CREDICORP is here to change that. Consumer credit is beyond a concept. It is about real people: a father’s credit card during a child’s medical emergency; a baker no longer needing generous family and friends to equip their small business; a household struggling with the burden of expensive petrol generators — now able to afford solar panels that cut their electricity bills by half. These should not be distant dreams. We see consumer credit not too far from human rights.

We are therefore committed to radically expanding opportunities for Nigerians to access affordable credit. Our pilot programm seeks to provide credit for urgent household needs, with institutions like Accion and Letshego offering loans specifically for solar panels, compressed natural gas (CNG), and electric vehicles ,  transformative solutions reducing reliance on expensive petrol. More institutions are soon to join this train” Nwagba stated.

He said CREDICORP’s work is anchored on three operational pillars which will shape the future of consumer credit in Nigeria and these include infrastructure, insisting that every Nigerian deserves a credit profile that means something and opens doors to financial opportunities.

“We are working across partners, including the CBN and Credit Bureaus, to ensure every economically active citizen has a comprehensive credit score — an asset that grows with time and empowers them to access credit easily and responsibly. This credit infrastructure will help build financial equity for millions of Nigerians, turning good credit history into a personal asset. Ecosystems of innovators should expect invitations soon as we deep-dive on this all-important problem,” the CREDITCORP MD/ CEO, said.

According to him, the second pillar of CREDICORP is capital, which he said is more than just a facilitator, noting that the Corporation is providing the financial backbone for institutions committed to democratizing consumer credit.

 “Through cheaper wholesale funding and credit guarantees, we provide financial institutions the capacity to expand their lending reach. More deliberately, we provide a linkage that catalyzes local industry and creates jobs, as we enable much cheaper lending rates and credit guarantees for locally-manufactured products.

He said the third pillar of CREDITCORP is cultural re-orientation, remarking that consumer credit is not just about borrowing; it is about quality of life.

“We must work tirelessly to shift the mindset of Nigerians toward responsible credit use as a pathway to a better life, while also re-orienting financial institutions on more effective consumer credit underwriting as a driver of growth. On the latter, our belief is that bankers are some of the best of humans. They are our parents, spouses, friends, and siblings; they crave the job satisfaction of lending to millions of us (real people) to improve our lives, rather than crowding out their funds in ‘safer bets.’  We just need to galvanize better ways and systems that engender confidence, trust and the consequent access and affordability,” Nwagba said.

He also explained that this rollout is only the beginning.

“As we accelerate, our focus will remain on ensuring that consumer credit goes beyond immediate relief to fueling long-term national development. Beyond loans for urgent needs, we aim to develop product-first credit solutions that link Nigerians directly to life-enhancing goods — whether it’s home improvement, vehicles, or household appliances — working with a formidable ecosystem of financial institutions and partners (local and global), winning together,” he added.

Nwagba described the scheme as a new era of economic empowerment, saying: “The future we require for Nigeria is one of opportunity, growth, and empowerment. We are translating that vision into real, impactful steps — our first being toward ensuring that every Nigerian can access affordable credit to improve their lives and fuel our nation’s economic growth. CREDICORP is not just a credit program, a scheme, or even a Corporation. It is a movement. A long and rewarding journey that unlocks the potential of millions. Where families, small businesses, and industries across Nigeria will now have the financial tools and customer base they need to not just survive, but to thrive. Our best days are ahead of us. Onward, and Upward,” he added.