Headlines
Transfers Gone Missing: Nigeria’s frustrating digital bank transactions
Zulaiha Danjuma
Imagine expecting to receive payment for the goods you sold to a customer only to find that the significant amount of money never reached your bank account. For Malam Haruna Yau, a palm oil vendor in Kano State, Nigeria, this nightmare became a reality.
KANO FOCUS reports that, despite his initial skepticism about adopting electronic bank payments for his business, Haruna decided to open a bank account to receive payments from his customers.
However, he soon faced numerous challenges with vanishing funds due to network glitches causing discrepancies between customer transactions and his received payments.
“The major problem we have is the unpredictable network issues, which can be quite frustrating when trying to receive payments from customers,” Haruna explained. “Because of these network issues, we find ourselves going back and forth with customers on payments they say they made, which don’t reflect in my account. And in some cases, the money shows up much later.”
Malam Haruna Yau
One specific challenge Haruna faced was when he lost ₦19,000 due to network issues. “Just last week, I lost about ₦19,000. A lot of customers sent me money, but I didn’t receive the payments, even my neighbor selling next to me sent me some money, same thing,” Haruna said.
Haruna added, that this was one of the reservation he had about bank transfers but he knew he could not escape using the bank for his business due to the raise of technological advancement
He went further to explain that there are a lot of small vendors who still resist having bank accounts due to the fear of vanishing bank transfers
“It’s discouraging for vendors who are not banked hearing those of us who opened bank accounts complaining of our monies vanishing within banks” he said
Hajiya Rabi’a, a women’s clothing vendor, shared a similar story. She sent ₦5,000 to her brother on two separate occasions, but the funds never reached him.
“I thought it was a one-off issue, but when it happened again, I was shocked,” Rabi’a said. “I had to pay that money thrice.” She lamented.
According to industry players, the issues with vanishing interbank instant transfers often originate from the deposit banks themselves. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has implemented measures to address these challenges, including the Industry Dispute Resolution Platform.
“The CBN has been working tirelessly to address the challenges faced by customers,” said an industry expert. “The Industry Dispute Resolution Platform is a significant step towards resolving disputes and improving the overall customer experience.”
The CBN has also directed deposit money banks to resolve instant interbank disputes within three working days. Customers have the right to report any issues to the CBN and fill out a complaint form.
In addition, the CBN’s regulation on Instant Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT services) states that all instant interbank EFTs should take place within 1 minute (60 seconds). However, despite this protocol, deposit money banks have been seen falling short of upholding this right to customers.
According to data from the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the volume of instant interbank transfers has increased significantly over the past year, with over 10 million transactions valued at over ₦10 trillion.
However, the same data also shows that the number of disputes and complaints related to untraceable funds has also increased, with over 10,000 complaints received by the CBN in the past quarter alone.
The impact of untraceable funds on individuals and businesses cannot be overstated. For Haruna, the loss of ₦19,000 was a significant blow to his business. “It’s not just about the money; it’s about the trust and confidence that customers have in the banking system,” Haruna said.
To address these challenges, the CBN has launched the Industry Dispute Resolution Platform, which is strictly for card and POS transactions. Banks have been mandated to report any single dispute to the platform.
“All banks are under obligation to report their dispute on the Industry Dispute Resolution System (IDRS) platform. This took off three months ago, so hopefully, customers should expect better services,” an industry source said.
While electronic bank payments offer convenience and efficiency, the challenges with vanishing funds cannot be ignored. As the CBN continues to work towards resolving these issues, customers must be aware of their rights and the measures in place to protect them.
_*To protect themselves from vanishing funds, customers can take the following steps:*_
– First, verify transactions with their banks
– Report any issue of bank non compliance to resolving the issue; by filling out a CBN complaint form about the banks non compliance
By taking these steps, customers can help ensure that their transactions are secure and that they receive the funds they are owed.
In the words of Haruna, “I believe that electronic bank payments are the future, but we need to address the challenges that come with it. As customers, we need our banking institutions to do better to serve us properly and protect our funds”.
_*This story is produced under the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Fellowship of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Co-Develop in partnership with Kano Focus Newspaper online*_
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
… As Gov. Yusuf Condemns CP Bakori’s Partisan Conduct
… Demands His Immediate Removal for Sabotage, Unethical Behaviour
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has condemned in the strongest terms the unprofessional and partisan conduct of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, describing his actions as deliberate sabotage against the people of Kano and the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed outrage over the sudden withdrawal of police participation from the 2025 Independence Day celebration in Kano — an order CP Bakori issued just hours before the commencement of the event.
Governor Yusuf said the action was a clear demonstration of bias, insubordination, and betrayal of the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional duty.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, we cannot tolerate sabotage to the peace, security, and wellbeing of our citizens. It is disgraceful that a Commissioner of Police would descend so low into partisan politics by boycotting a national event that symbolizes unity, patriotism, and democracy,” Governor Yusuf stated.
The governor accused CP Bakori of consistently aligning with political interests opposed to the will of the people of Kano, thereby eroding public trust in the police command. He described the CP as a “political police officer” who has abandoned professionalism and is actively undermining democracy.
“The police must never be seen as tools of politicians. They are expected to protect all Nigerians, regardless of political leanings. Unfortunately, CP Bakori has turned himself into a willing instrument of division and insecurity in Kano State,” the statement added.
Governor Yusuf therefore led the voices of Kano stakeholders who were present at the 2025 Independence Day Celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, in calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately remove CP Bakori from office and replace him with a competent and non-partisan officer who will restore confidence, fairness, and neutrality in policing Kano State.
The stakeholders who joined their voices with that of the Governor included traditional and religious leaders, NNPP members of the state and national assemblies, the business community, youth groups, and labour organizations.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the people, stressing that no act of sabotage from compromised security officials will succeed in destabilizing Kano under his watch.
He also commended the efforts of other security agencies in the state — with the exception of the police.
Governor Yusuf appreciated the leadership of the state commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and the State Directorate of Security Services, all of whom participated in the 2025 Independence Parade.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Dr. Musa Mohammed Bello, State Focal Person for the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), announced significant progress in a Gavi-funded immunization project implemented in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) across Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, and Borno states since September 2023.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project has recorded notable reductions in the number of zero-dose children those who have not received any vaccines particularly in Kano, where 15 local governments were identified as high-burden areas.
During a recent review meeting focusing on Kano State, stakeholders assessed successes and challenges related to immunization budget allocation, vaccine supply chain disruptions, cold chain management, and access to immunization services by parents and caregivers.
Dr. Bello commended the Kano State government for consistently allocating above 15% of the budget to health surpassing the Abuja Declaration recommendation but pointed out issues with approval and release of funds that hinder smooth project implementation.
He also stressed the need for Kano State to reduce its heavy reliance on donor funding from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by strengthening local counterpart contributions. Isyaku Lawan Dawakin from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
Dr. Bello further highlighted the strengthening of advocacy and government relationships through the 2023-2024 Accountability Scorecard initiative, which has enabled better communication and cooperation with key government committees on health and appropriation. Evidence-based advocacy built on decentralized immunization monitoring assessments by AFENET has helped identify specific challenges at the local government and health facility levels, informing targeted interventions.
He presented recent data from September 2025 showing high reporting rates from primary health care facilities on routine immunization services via SMS across the targeted local governments, reflecting increased monitoring and responsiveness. The project has fostered deeper understanding of the budgetary process among civil society and health stakeholders, contributing to increased awareness and coordinated action to address zero-dose children.
Crucially, Dr. Bello revealed that Kano State has seen a tremendous decrease in zero-dose children—from over 539,000 in 2020 to around 120,000 by December 2024—attributed to collaborative government and partner efforts.
This achievement underscores the positive impact of strengthened immunization systems, accountability frameworks, and partner coordination in improving child health outcomes across the region.
”This initiative forms part of a broader push to improve immunization coverage and accountability in West Africa, aiming to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable diseases,” he said.
Isyaku Lawan Dawakin Tofa from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
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