CRC Credit Bureau has unveiled an upgraded version of its mobile application aimed at improving Nigerians’ access to credit information, financial services, and digital transactions.
Tunde Popoola, the managing director/chief executive officer of CRC Credit Bureau, announced the launch during a press briefing at the company’s corporate office in Lagos on Thursday, describing the platform as a strategic step toward strengthening Nigeria’s credit ecosystem.
Popoola said the improved CRC Mobile App offers enhanced functionality, security, and convenience for users seeking access to their credit information and financial services.
“The app represents more than just a digital update. It is a strategic commitment to leveraging technology to enhance customer experience, expand access to financial services, and reinforce data security in an increasingly digital economy,” he said.
According to him, CRC developed the application to meet the evolving expectations of financial service users who demand convenience, secure access to information, and seamless transactions without visiting bank branches.
“It will allow you to securely access your accounts using fingerprint authentication and facial recognition technology. That makes it easy to use and fairly secure,” Popoola explained.
He added that the app also includes a wallet functionality that allows users to fund their accounts for transactions within the platform.
“This eliminates friction in payment and improves overall efficiency in the use of the application,” he said.
Beyond access to credit data, the app enables users to pay utility bills, purchase airtime and data, and subscribe to television services.
Popoola said the application also provides direct access to the organisation’s training programmes through the CRC Financial Education Centre, where individuals and institutions can register for courses related to credit management, risk management, loan recovery and financial literacy.
“Anyone who wants to do our training can register using the app. The whole calendar of training for the year is in the app. You can select, pay and submit directly from the platform,” he said.
The CRC boss noted that improving access to credit remains central to the company’s mission, stressing that credit penetration in Nigeria has grown significantly over the years.
“Credit penetration when we started in 2009 was just four percent. But today, with the data we have in our repository, about 50 percent of adult banking Nigerians now have access to credit,” he said.
Popoola disclosed that more than 50 million Nigerians currently have credit scores, a development he attributed to the increasing use of data and technology in lending.
He said CRC currently works with more than 2,300 institutions, including banks, fintech companies, microfinance banks, mortgage institutions, leasing firms and retailers that sell goods on credit.
The bureau, he said, provides data and analytical tools that help lenders identify borrowers, assess creditworthiness, monitor loans and recover debts in cases of default.
“Any institution that is involved in lending or selling on credit can be a customer of CRC. What we do is provide credible information using credit data so lenders can make informed decisions,” Popoola said.
He also highlighted the growing importance of alternative forms of credit, such as post-paid telecom services, school fee arrangements, and buy-now-pay-later models, noting that these transactions increasingly contribute to individuals’ credit histories.
The CRC chief urged Nigerians to use the app to check their credit profiles before applying for loans.
Popoola added that wider access to credit would stimulate economic growth by enabling consumers and small businesses to finance purchases and investments.
“When people have access to credit, they demand more goods and services. That increases production, supports SMEs and ultimately creates more jobs,” he said.