A new player has entered Nigeria's dynamic financial technology landscape with a clear mission to empower small businesses. NairaPoint, a digital financial services platform, was officially unveiled at a significant event in Lagos on 7 January 2026.
Launch Event Celebrates Entrepreneurship Milestone
The platform's introduction was held at the prestigious Ikoyi Golf Club and doubled as a celebration of a notable entrepreneurial legacy. The gathering marked the 40th anniversary of businesswoman Funke Otti's entrepreneurship journey. The event drew a crowd of key figures, including stakeholders from financial services, top business executives, and regulatory officials.
Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, the Vice Chairman of NairaPoint, addressed the audience, outlining the platform's core objective. He stated that NairaPoint was specifically developed to deliver digital financial solutions to individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A primary focus is on those with limited access to conventional banking services.
Services and Regulatory Compliance
According to its promoters, the NairaPoint platform will offer a suite of mobile-first financial tools designed for ease of use and accessibility. The services highlighted include:
- Digital wallets for secure money storage and transfer.
- Various payment solutions to facilitate transactions.
- Microfinancial tools tailored for small business needs.
Dr. Santuraki emphasized that NairaPoint will operate fully within the existing regulatory frameworks that govern fintech services in Nigeria, ensuring compliance and user security.
Tributes to Resilience and a New Financial Phase
During his speech, Dr. Santuraki paid tribute to Funke Otti, lauding her career as a model of resilience and long-term commitment to enterprise development in Nigeria. Otti herself took a moment to reflect on her four decades in business, sharing insights gained from her experience.
She highlighted the critical importance of strategic partnerships, adaptability to market changes, and the sustained trust of customers as pillars of lasting business success. Otti expressed her view that the launch of NairaPoint signifies a new phase of engagement with Nigeria's rapidly evolving financial ecosystem, one that promises greater inclusion and innovation.
The arrival of NairaPoint is poised to add more depth to Nigeria's fintech sector, offering targeted support to the vital SME segment that forms the backbone of the national economy.
