The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that Nigeria recorded US$947 million in remittance inflows through International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in July 2026, the highest monthly inflow ever recorded through formal channels and approaching the US$1 billion monthly target set by the Governor of the Bank, Olayemi Cardoso.
The CBN said IMTO inflows reached US$3.8 billion in the first seven months of 2026, 50.2 per cent higher than the figure recorded during the same period in 2025, pointing to a significant strengthening of flows through formal channels.
The increase follows a series of reforms by the CBN aimed at making formal remittance channels more competitive, transparent and accessible. These include a move towards a more market-determined exchange rate, reforms to the regulatory framework for IMTOs and the introduction of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN), alongside closer engagement with IMTOs, banks and Nigerian diaspora communities.
More recently, the CBN has strengthened requirements for remittance transactions to be routed through designated settlement accounts with authorised dealer banks.
According to a statement by the apex bank, the CBN explained that the significance of the development extends beyond the headline figure.
“Increasing diaspora flows through formal channels boosts foreign exchange liquidity and transparency, supports households and investment, and strengthens Nigeria’s external financing position.
“When we set a clear ambition to reach US$1 billion a month in remittance inflows through formal channels nearly two years ago, some people thought we were dreaming. At US$947 million in July, we are now approaching that milestone,” Governor Cardoso said.
The statement noted that while individual monthly figures would naturally vary, the CBN’s focus was on the broader trajectory and sustaining the shift towards formal channels.
“The significant increase in inflows recorded so far in 2026 points to the growing impact of reforms designed to make formal remittance channels more competitive, accessible and transparent.”
The CBN said it was building on the momentum by deepening engagement with Nigerian diaspora communities and financial-sector partners across key remittance corridors.
“As part of its wider international engagements, the Bank will continue to use opportunities in major global financial centres to engage diaspora communities, IMTOs, banks and other stakeholders to reduce friction, widen access and bring a greater share of remittance flows into formal channels,” the statement added.
Cardoso said July’s figure was an important milestone but stressed that the Bank’s focus remained on achieving sustained growth in formal remittances.
“July is an important marker, but our focus is not on a single month. It is on creating the conditions for sustained growth in formal remittances. We expect to keep seeing improvement and believe Nigeria can reach and ultimately sustain monthly inflows above US$1 billion,” the statement quoted him as saying.