CBN to Introduce New Policy to Improve ATM Cash Access

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced plans to roll out a new regulatory policy aimed at improving debit card issuance and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) operations across the country, in a bid to address persistent cash access challenges.

The apex bank made the disclosure on Friday, January 23, during the 2026 Committee of Heads of Bank Operations Conference.

Speaking on behalf of CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso, Special Adviser Fatai Karim explained that the new policy will ensure that the number of debit cards issued by banks aligns with the ATM infrastructure they operate.

“This initiative will help sanitise and improve the system, particularly ensuring that the number of cards issued by banks corresponds with the ATMs they maintain,” Karim said.

The move is designed to reduce long queues at ATMs, minimise machine downtime, and ensure a more even distribution of cash across Nigerian communities.

The CBN noted that repeated ATM failures and frequent cash shortages have weakened public confidence in electronic payment systems, despite the growing adoption of digital banking solutions.

“When cash access is disrupted, whether due to prolonged ATM outages or uneven cash distribution, the credibility of the entire payment system suffers,” the bank added.

Karim also revealed that the CBN is consulting stakeholders across the banking sector to finalise the framework for the policy. He said the regulation is expected to take effect within the next few months, possibly before the end of the second quarter of 2026.

The new policy aims to enhance ATM reliability, improve cash availability, and restore public trust in Nigeria’s electronic payment infrastructure.