CBN Data Shows Nigerians Borrowed More for Houses in Q2 2026

Household credit for buying homes rose to 9.6 index points in Q2 2026, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria's Credit Conditions Survey Report. The report, released on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, shows stronger borrowing by Nigerians to finance home ownership.

The CBN said lenders reported increased availability of credit for secured, unsecured and corporate lending during the quarter. Default rates also declined.

Demand for Secured and Corporate Credit Rises

Demand for secured credit increased to 15.1 index points, while corporate lending rose to 15.2 points. Unsecured lending demand remained weak at -1.2 index points.

Consumer loans to households increased by 11.2 index points, while credit for house purchases climbed by 9.6 points.

Small Business Lending Leads Growth

Lending to households for small businesses recorded the strongest growth in the household category, rising by 26.4 index points. For unsecured credit, overdrafts and personal loans to households increased to 7.9 index points.

Household demand for credit cards, however, fell to -2.0 index points.

Corporate credit demand also strengthened across business categories. Lending to small businesses increased to 26.5 index points, while credit to medium-sized private non-financial corporations (PNFCs) rose to 25.5 points.

Loans to large PNFCs increased to 8.9 index points. Credit to other financial corporations (OFCs) remained unchanged at 0.0 index points.

Default Rates Decline

The CBN reported that lenders recorded lower default rates across secured and unsecured lending during the quarter. Default rates also declined across all corporate lending categories, including small businesses, medium-sized PNFCs, large PNFCs and other financial corporations.

For Nigerian consumers, the data points to increased access to home loans and small business credit in the second quarter of 2026.