Buhari Assents To Banks And Financial Institutions Act 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement released on Friday, November 13.

The Act repeals the extant Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 1991 as amended. The legislation is expected to enhance the resilience of the financial system for the growth of the Nigerian economy. It updates the enabling law in response to developments and significant evolution in the financial sector.

The Presidency said the Act will increase the appetite of banks and other financial institutions to channel credit to the real sector. It also introduces a credit tribunal to improve loan recovery. Furthermore, the legislation addresses the incidence of high non-performing loans within the financial system.

The statement adds that the Act will strengthen the regulatory and supervisory framework for the financial industry and will also provide additional tools for managing failing institutions and systemic distress to preserve financial stability.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, would meet stakeholders across various sectors to discuss critical aspects of the Act.