The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed plans to introduce a fresh regulatory policy aimed at improving debit card issuance and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) operations across banks, as part of efforts to address ongoing cash access challenges nationwide.
The apex bank made this disclosure on Friday, January 23, 2026, during the 2026 Committee of Heads of Bank Operations Conference.
Representing the CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, his Special Adviser, Fatai Karim, explained that the proposed policy will require banks to align the number of debit cards they issue with the ATM infrastructure they have in place.
He said the initiative is intended to ease congestion at ATM locations, reduce frequent machine breakdowns and promote a more balanced distribution of cash across the country.
“Very soon, the Central Bank will introduce another policy to sanitise and improve the system, especially regarding the ratio of debit cards issued by banks to the ATMs they maintain,” the CBN stated.
The bank acknowledged that repeated ATM failures and persistent cash shortages have continued to undermine public confidence in electronic payment channels, despite the expansion of digital banking services.
It warned that sustained service disruptions pose a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s payment ecosystem.
“Whenever cash access breaks down—whether from prolonged ATM downtime or poor cash distribution—the integrity of the entire payment system is compromised,” the bank noted.
Karim added that the CBN is currently consulting widely with stakeholders in the banking sector to refine the proposed framework.
He disclosed that the new regulation is expected to come into force within the next few months and may be implemented before the end of the second quarter of 2026.
The policy is anticipated to enhance ATM efficiency, improve cash availability and help rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s electronic payment system.