COVID-19 Pandemic and E-Banking in Nigeria

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and technology have redefined the channels through which business and financial transactions can be carried out. The objective of the study is to assess the connectivity between COVID-19 and electronic banking (E-Banking) during the periods of COVID-19 lockdown and the restriction of movement in Nigeria. Ex post facto research design and secondary data were used in the study. The study adopted descriptive analysis as its data analysis method. It was found that online transfer channels were mostly used throughout the periods of COVID-19 and the restriction of movement in Nigeria, and the volume of transactions for all the components of E-Banking (automated teller machines, point of sale transfer, online transfer, and USSD transfer) were low in the month of April compared to other months in the periods of study. The study concluded that COVID-19 increased the online transfer channel of E-Banking in Nigeria during COVID-19 lockdown and the restriction of movement in the year 2020. The study recommended that financial transactions via E-Banking be encouraged in Nigeria, in as much as COVID-19 still persists there. Also, there should be a reduction in the service charges as charged by the banks, telecommunications firms, and the Federal Government on the use of E-Banking for fund transfers in order to encourage more Nigerians to adopt E-Banking.