The Rise Of Non-Interest Banking In Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Banking in Nigeria was once defined almost entirely by interest — how much borrowers paid, and how much savers earned.

But since the return to democracy in 1999, that familiar system has been quietly challenged.

Banks that promise profit… without interest.

What was once dismissed as controversial, unrealistic, or even dangerous to the financial system has steadily grown into a recognised part of Nigeria’s economy.

Today, from Abuja to Kano, Lagos to Maiduguri, non-interest banks are financing businesses, supporting farmers and traders, and funding major projects.

On Nigeria Daily, we examine how non-interest banking rose during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, the struggles behind its acceptance, and what this shift means for how Nigerians think about money, risk, and opportunity.