Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso has stressed the importance of Fintech innovation, collaboration and trust in shaping Nigeria’s digital financial future. Cardoso, who gave the emphasis in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Fintech Week 2025 in Lagos, themed ‘The Fintech Ecosystem Symphony: Orchestrating Nigeria’s Digital Future,’ organised by Fintech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR), insisted on regulatory compliance among Fintech players.
The CBN governo, represented at the event by the director of Payments System Supervision, Dr. Rakiya Opemi Yusuf, explained that the Nigeria’s Fintech ecosystem would require harmony between innovators and regulators, between inclusion and security, and between competition and collaboration, adding that only through such balance can Nigeria orchestrate a future that advances innovation, strengthens trust, and enhances financial inclusion.
“Innovation is a catalyst of Fintech and the lifeblood of Nigeria’s digital economy. From mobile payments to AI-driven services, Fintech innovations are reshaping access to finance. “The Central Bank of Nigeria embraces responsible innovation, providing space for creativity, while safeguarding the financial stability. “By balancing innovation with good data oversight, we allow new technologies to flourish while protecting consumers and the broader financial system.
Economy is incomplete if some instruments are silenced. “Likewise, national progress suffers when communities are excluded,” the CBN governor said. According to him, financial inclusion remains central to the sensitivity in achieving the mandates. Initiatives such as agent banking and microfinance expansion, target the grassroots communities. Fintech solutions like mobile wallets and USSD services are lowering barriers, but technology alone cannot close the gap.
He called for a combined innovation with collaboration across government, industry, and communities to build trust, improve literacy, and extend financial services to rural and rural-settled Nigerians. “Our collective commitment must be that no regional community is left out of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Innovation must rise from a foundation of trust and compliance. Products built on compliance and trust, attract investors. We encourage entrepreneurs to see regulators not as obstacles, but as partners in building a responsible Fintech ecosystem,” he added.
