Access, UBA, Zenith, Other Banks Announce Branch Closures Nationwide, Advise Customers
- Nigerian banks closed physical branches on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in observance of Nigeria's 66th Independence Day
- Stanbic IBTC and Optimus Bank notified customers about the closures, with branches expected to reopen on October 2
- Customers were directed to use ATMs, mobile apps, USSD codes and internet banking while branches remained closed
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Nigerian banks, including Access Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank, shut their physical branches across the country on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.
The federal government declared the date a public holiday, and the Nigerian Exchange Group 2026 trading calendar also listed October 1 as a non-trading day on the Exchange.
Source: Getty Images
Stanbic IBTC announces branch closure
Stanbic IBTC informed customers that its branches would be closed on Thursday, October 1, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
Stanbic IBTC said:
“Please note that our branches will be closed on Thursday, 01 October 2026, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.”
“We will be back to serve you as usual on Friday.”
Customers were advised to use the bank’s ATMs, @ease Wallet, internet banking, mobile app and USSD service for their banking needs.
Optimus Bank closes banking halls
Optimus Bank also notified customers that its banking halls would be closed.
“Please note that our banking halls will be closed on Thursday, October 1st, 2026, in observance of Independence Day,” Optimus Bank said in its notice."
FG marks Nigeria's 66th Independence Day
The federal government, through the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, congratulated Nigerians at home and in the diaspora and called on citizens to reflect on the values of unity, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
Source: Getty Images
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, issued the statement through the ministry’s official X handle on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
He noted that this year’s Independence Day anniversary is being celebrated under the theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity.”
Tunji-Ojo said:
“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we should always remember that there is hope for our country and our diversity is our strength, and our collective determination remains the foundation upon which a stronger and more prosperous nation will be built.”
The minister also urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from the country’s founding fathers and work towards building a nation that future generations would be proud to inherit.
NDIC issues fresh warning to customers of 46 closed banks
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) issued a strong warning to depositors and the general public following the revocation of the operating licences of 46 microfinance banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The agency urged Nigerians to avoid carrying out any form of transaction with the affected financial institutions, stressing that the banks have ceased operations and are no longer legally permitted to offer banking services.
The warning came barely a day after the CBN announced the withdrawal of the licences of the microfinance banks
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
