Morganable Technology Desk
Nigerian fintech leaders are calling for stronger trust, better digital skills and responsible AI as the industry enters a new phase of growth.
Lagos —
Nigeria’s fintech industry is entering a new phase.
Industry leaders say the next stage of growth will depend on more than new financial technology.
They want stronger trust, better skills and secure digital systems.
The call was made at the 2026 edition of Nigeria Fintech Week, held from September 22 to 23 across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
The event brought together fintech companies, banks, investors, regulators and technology professionals.
This year’s theme was “Legacy in Motion: Powering the Digital Renaissance.”
AI takes centre stage
Artificial intelligence was one of the major issues discussed at the event.
Fintech companies are already exploring AI for different financial services. These include customer support, fraud detection, data analysis and other digital operations.
However, industry leaders said the technology must be used responsibly.
They also stressed the need for people with the right skills to develop and manage new AI systems.
Stanley Jacobs, President of the Fintech Association of Nigeria, identified the scaling of next-generation AI and skills development as important priorities for the industry.
The focus on skills comes as technology continues to change the way financial services operate.
Fintech businesses now need workers who can understand both finance and emerging technologies.
This includes areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data and digital payments.
Trust remains important
Alongside AI, trust was another major issue raised during the event.
As more Nigerians use digital financial services, companies handle large amounts of customer information.
This makes security an important part of the fintech ecosystem.
Industry stakeholders said companies must protect customers and build confidence in digital financial services.
They also called for stronger institutions and secure digital infrastructure.
According to Proshare, Jacobs identified institutional trust and security as key areas that need attention as the industry develops.
Trust can also affect how willing customers are to adopt new financial products.
When people are confident that their money and information are protected, they may be more comfortable using digital services.
For fintech companies, this makes security part of the customer experience.
From payments to wider services
Nigeria’s fintech industry has changed significantly over the years.
The sector began with services such as mobile money and agency banking.
It later expanded into payment gateways, digital banking, super apps and embedded finance.
Today, fintech companies operate across several areas of the financial system.
These include payments, lending, wealth management, insurance and digital assets.
The Nigeria Fintech Week programme also featured discussions on open banking, cross-border payments, digital assets, credit, banking transformation and financial inclusion.
This wider role means fintech companies are becoming more connected to other parts of the economy.
Skills gap gets attention
The growth of new technology also creates a need for more skilled workers.
Fintech leaders said knowledge and experience must be passed from established industry players to younger professionals.
Segun Aina, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fintech Association of Nigeria, also called for knowledge transfer between generations of fintech professionals.
This could help young workers understand how the industry developed.
It could also prepare them for the technologies shaping its future.
For Nigerian startups, access to skilled workers remains important as they develop new products and expand into other markets.
Push for stronger collaboration
Another issue discussed at the event was collaboration.
Industry stakeholders called for closer cooperation between fintech companies, banks and regulators.
Aina argued for a shift away from the traditional idea of fintech companies competing against banks.
Instead, he highlighted the need for fintechs and banks to work together.
Cross-border expansion was also discussed.
According to Proshare, stakeholders identified fragmentation across African markets as a challenge for companies seeking to expand their services across borders.
Different rules and licensing requirements can make expansion more difficult.
Greater regulatory alignment could make it easier for financial technology companies to operate across African markets.
Three cities host the event
Nigeria Fintech Week 2026 was held simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
Lagos served as the main conference location.
Abuja hosted discussions focused on policy and regulation, while Port Harcourt served as a regional centre for the South-South.
The organisers said the three-city format was designed to bring the conversation closer to different parts of Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem.
The event also featured panels, keynote sessions, product showcases and discussions involving technology companies and financial institutions.
What comes next
The discussions at Nigeria Fintech Week show how the country’s fintech conversation is changing.
The focus is no longer only on creating faster payment platforms.
Attention is also moving towards artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, skills, regulation and trust.
These issues will become more important as digital financial services continue to expand.
For fintech companies, the challenge will be to develop useful technology while keeping customers’ money and information secure.
They will also need skilled workers who can build and manage these systems.
For regulators, the growing use of AI and digital financial products will require clear rules that support innovation while protecting users.
Nigeria’s fintech sector is therefore entering a period where technology and trust will need to develop together.
The outcome could shape how financial services evolve across the country and how Nigerian fintech companies compete in the wider African market.
