Nigeria

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In this Image Emeka Eluemunor (left), IPA Nigeria Country Director, with Professor Abdulrasheed Na'allah (right), Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, during an MOU signing with the University of Abuja for collaboration under IPA's LMIC PI Engagement Initiative.

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Research Findings

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Measuring Fees and Transparency in Nigeria’s Digital Financial Services

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High fees and lack of pricing transparency may be a barrier to accessing financial services, especially for low-income and rural populations. In Nigeria, where access to financial services is lower than in neighboring countries, the Central Bank issued regulations to limit customer fees. However, anecdotal evidence suggests these regulations are not always followed. Researchers conducted a transaction audit to determine whether digital financial service (DFS) providers comply with pricing regulations. The results demonstrate that phone-based financial transactions often fail, it is difficult and costly to find accurate pricing information, and consumers sometimes pay fees that exceed caps set by the Central Bank. These results have wider implications for consumer welfare, inclusion, and trust in financial services.

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Understanding Consumer Protection Risks Faced by Nigerian Digital Finance Users

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The opening of Nigeria’s mobile money system to non-banks and new mobile banking products from commercial banks presents the potential for digital finance to take off in the country. To maximize the benefits of digital inclusion, expansion of use should occur alongside sufficient consumer protection policies and responsible product design. Yet existing surveys on financial access have provided only limited insights on consumer protection issues and have not probed on the drivers of issues such as fraud and loss of trust in digital products. This study provides initial evidence on the experiences and consumer protection risks in mobile and agent-based financial services to inform market development. To do so, researchers conducted a survey of digital finance users in Lagos, Kaduna, and Enugu. The survey covered active and dormant users of electronic payments products, mobile banking products, agent banking, and digital credit on key consumer protection topics including pricing transparency, fraud, experiences at agent locations, complaints handling, and redress.

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Innovations for Poverty Action logo in white and green on black background, without word-mark

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The Effect of Information on Irregular Migration Decisions in Nigeria

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Globally, irregular migration and human trafficking have reached crisis proportions in fragile and conflict-affected states. In Nigeria, the combination of ongoing, low-intensity conflict, a large youth population, and limited economic opportunities has led to high levels of irregular migrants seeking to make the dangerous journey to Europe. There is little evidence on how individuals weigh the risks and benefits of migration, and how information campaigns influence decisions to migrate. To fill this gap, researchers are partnering with Innovations for Poverty Action and the UK Cabinet office to evaluate the impact of providing information about the risks and outcomes of irregular migration through door-to-door campaigns and social networks on actual migration decisions.

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Policy Impact

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Consumer Protection

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IPA is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to protect consumers from financial risks. IPA is also supporting the establishment of an Embedded Lab to expand the Central Bank's ability to use data and evidence to protect consumers.

Human Trafficking

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IPA is supporting the Nigerian government to reduce human trafficking by establishing a Human Trafficking Embedded Evidence Lab—a permanent infrastructure that will equip the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to develop and deliver more effective, evidence-based policies and programs to combat sex trafficking.

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In this image:A photo of the IPA Nigeria team. © 2022 IPA Nigeria
Nigeria

Our Team

Nigeria

Our Team

Country Director

Funmilayo Ayeni

Funmilayo Ayeni is the Country Director for IPA Nigeria. Prior to joining IPA, Funmi conducted research and evaluations across several sectors including education, financial inclusion, mobile money, governance, and community empowerment.

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Finance and Administrative Coordinator

Chinenye Ani

Chinenye Ani has years of experience in accounting, finance, and administration from banking, finance, and NGOs. Prior to joining IPA Nigeria, she served as a Finance and Administration Assistant at Palladium International Development Nigeria Ltd where she supported multiple projects.

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Senior Manager, Consumer Protection Embedded Lab

Henry Chukwu

Henry Chukwu is the Senior Manager of the Consumer Protection Embedded Lab, a program that seeks to support IPA’s Consumer Protection Research Initiative in Nigeria to develop solutions for digital financial services and consumer risks.

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Field Manager

Delight Gutip

Delight serves as a Field Manager at IPA Nigeria, focused on the Farmers Herders Project which is evaluating whether contact influences conflict between farmer and herder communities in the Middle Belt of Nigeria.

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Research Manager

Brian Mwesigwa

Brian Mwesigwa is currently serving as the Research Manager for the Consumer Protection portfolio of IPA's projects in Nigeria.

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Research Associate

Emeka Nweke

Emeka is a Research Associate at IPA Nigeria. He has over three years of experience in implementing randomized evaluations and evidence-based dissemination on several projects.

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Policy Manager

Ifeyinwa Yusuf

Ifeyinwa Yusuf is a Policy Manager, responsible for managing high-impact policy opportunities with decision-makers and policymakers in Nigeria.

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Country Director

Funmilayo Ayeni

Funmilayo Ayeni is the Country Director for IPA Nigeria. Prior to joining IPA, Funmi conducted research and evaluations across several sectors including education, financial inclusion, mobile money, governance, and community empowerment.

Read Full Bio

Finance and Administrative Coordinator

Chinenye Ani

Chinenye Ani has years of experience in accounting, finance, and administration from banking, finance, and NGOs. Prior to joining IPA Nigeria, she served as a Finance and Administration Assistant at Palladium International Development Nigeria Ltd where she supported multiple projects.

Read Full Bio

Senior Manager, Consumer Protection Embedded Lab

Henry Chukwu

Henry Chukwu is the Senior Manager of the Consumer Protection Embedded Lab, a program that seeks to support IPA’s Consumer Protection Research Initiative in Nigeria to develop solutions for digital financial services and consumer risks.

Read Full Bio

Field Manager

Delight Gutip

Delight serves as a Field Manager at IPA Nigeria, focused on the Farmers Herders Project which is evaluating whether contact influences conflict between farmer and herder communities in the Middle Belt of Nigeria.

Read Full Bio

Research Manager

Brian Mwesigwa

Brian Mwesigwa is currently serving as the Research Manager for the Consumer Protection portfolio of IPA's projects in Nigeria.

Read Full Bio

Research Associate

Emeka Nweke

Emeka is a Research Associate at IPA Nigeria. He has over three years of experience in implementing randomized evaluations and evidence-based dissemination on several projects.

Read Full Bio

Policy Manager

Ifeyinwa Yusuf

Ifeyinwa Yusuf is a Policy Manager, responsible for managing high-impact policy opportunities with decision-makers and policymakers in Nigeria.

Read Full Bio