The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently announced sweeping
reforms to modernise Nigeria's Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
network. In its communiqué titled "Exposure of the
Draft Guidelines on the Operations of Automated Teller Machines
(ATMs) in Nigeria" , the CBN declared that these new standards
will supersede all previous ATM regulations.
These guidelines are not mere technical updates, they represent
a bold move by the CBN to enhance financial inclusion, reduce
fraud, and improve user experience at every touchpoint. Here's
a breakdown of the major highlights, with references to the
applicable provisions:
1. What are the CBN Draft Guidelines on ATM
Operations?
The Draft Guidelines, released in October 2025, are proposed
regulatory standards issued by the CBN to improve how ATMs are
deployed, maintained, secured, and monitored in Nigeria. Once
approved, they will replace all previous regulations, including the
provisions on ATMs under the Guidelines for
