CBN Tightens PoS Rules as CAC Sets January 2026 Deadline for Registration

CBN Tightens PoS Rules as CAC Sets January 2026 Deadline for Registration

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all acquirers, processors and Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) to implement mandatory dual connectivity with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL) for all Point of Sale (PoS) transactions within one month.

The directive was announced in a memo dated December 11, 2025, signed by Rakiya Yusuf, Director of the CBN Payments System Supervision Department, as part of measures to strengthen the reliability, security and efficiency of electronic payment systems in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has disclosed plans to begin a nationwide clampdown on unregistered PoS operators from January 1, 2026, in a renewed effort to curb money laundering and enforce regulatory compliance within the sector.

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The CAC directed all PoS agents to regularise their businesses before the deadline, warning that operating without registration violates the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and the CBN Agent Banking Regulations.

According to the commission, the growing number of unregistered PoS operators, often enabled by some fintech companies, poses serious risks to Nigeria’s financial system and the investments of citizens.

From January 1, 2026, the CAC said unregistered PoS terminals will be seized or shut down by security agencies, while fintech firms facilitating illegal operations will be placed on a watch list and reported to the CBN.

“All operators are advised to regularise immediately, and compliance is mandatory,” the commission warned.

The CAC reaffirmed its commitment to sanitising the financial services sector, promoting transparency, strengthening regulatory compliance, and safeguarding users and investors in line with its statutory mandate.

CBN Tightens PoS Rules as CAC Sets January 2026 Deadline for Registration