The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria has celebrated its 10th anniversary and ninth Annual National Conference in Gombe, with stakeholders praising the transformative role agents have played in deepening financial inclusion across the country.
The conference, organised with the support of Moniepoint, and with the theme “A Decade of Impact: Advancing Agent Banking for Inclusive and Secure Financial Services,” brought together regulators, financial institutions, and operators who all affirmed the critical role agents play in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive.
Speaking at the event, acting National President of AMMBAN, Dr Obioha Oti, said the last decade has proved that agency banking is one of Nigeria’s most successful grassroots financial revolutions. “Together, we have proven that agency banking works. The next chapter is to make it smarter, safer, and more inclusive for all,” he said.
Oti recalled the early years when financial services were limited to large banks in major towns, forcing rural dwellers to travel long distances just to perform basic transactions. He said the introduction of agency banking in 2013 “became not just a policy, but a lifeline,” connecting millions of people to essential financial services.
He added that through collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, NIBSS, SANEF, EFINA and security agencies, AMMBAN has helped professionalise the agent banking ecosystem while tackling fraud, insecurity and evolving regulatory demands.
While expressing support for recent CBN directives on agent registration, compliance, and risk management, Oti urged regulators to adopt flexible implementation strategies. “The goal is shared — a safe, inclusive and vibrant financial system — but the path must also be practical and sustainable.”
Delivering the keynote address, Senior Vice President, Distribution Network Sales at Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, Mr Ezekiel Sanni, said digital financial services are now central to everyday life for millions of Nigerians.
“Today, two out of three adults in Nigeria have experienced reliable payments through platforms powered by Moniepoint’s infrastructure,” Sanni said. He praised AMMBAN for championing the interests of more than 1.5 million agents, who collectively serve over 60 million Nigerians daily.
According to him, the last decade has not been without challenges, including policy shifts, fraud, network issues, poor USSD experiences, and unexpected charges that sometimes erode customer trust. He emphasised the need for stronger consumer protection, improved digital infrastructure, and enhanced financial literacy.
Sanni also highlighted key areas requiring urgent action: deepening inclusion in northern Nigeria, closing the gender gap, and empowering agents to deliver credit, insurance, savings, and pensions – not just payments. “We have seen from our data that it pays to serve women,” he said. “The next decade demands that we move from collaboration to concrete commitment.”
Chairman of AMMBAN’s Board of Trustees, Mr Victor Olojo, described the association’s 10-year journey as one built on resilience, innovation, and national impact.
Olojo said AMMBAN has grown into “a formidable voice and a trusted institution” within the financial sector, with its presence felt from communities in Adamawa and Lagos to riverine settlements in the South-South.
He urged members to embrace the next decade with renewed advocacy and innovation. “The future belongs to those who dare to dream, evolve, and lead with integrity,” he said.
Olojo added that the anniversary was not just a moment of celebration, but a call to service: “This milestone reminds us to build, innovate, and expand to reach every Nigerian, regardless of location or status.”
