Contrary to widely held belief that the Nigeria Police Force Microfinance Bank is strictly for serving and retired police officers, the management of the bank says its services are without restrictions and are open to every member of the society.

The management disclosed this during an interactive session with selected journalists in Lagos on Friday.

Speaking during the meeting, the MD/CEO of the bank, Habeeb Yusuf said, “NPF Microfinance Bank is for everybody in the society. We have no restrictions. It is not compulsory for a police officer to have an account with us. It is from their own free volition that they can do so.”

For those that have opted to open an account with the bank, the MD said: “I can tell you authoritatively that I don’t think any of them has regretted it. Rather, they keep introducing their colleagues. Because one of the things that keeps them going is not only because our loan is accessible but also because it is very affordable when you compare it to what is going on in the industry.”

Speaking with unbridled conviction, he said “when you come across any of the officers, you can also chat them up and they will be able to verify what we have just told you.”

The MD went on to allay the fears that some members of the public have about microfinance institutions, saying that the NPF Microfinance Bank is solid as a rock and can never be shaken. “We’ve been in existence for 32 years. We are no push over when it comes to microfinance. The management of each institution is what you look at.How properly are those institutions being managed? That will give you the kind of confidence whether you should patronize them or not.”

Corroborating the MD’s remarks on the impact the bank has made in the lives of policemen and members of the public in general, the ED Operations, John Tizhe said: “I tell you categorically, any officer who has been with us, junior officers, I’m talking about constable now to, let’s say, inspectors, right? That has been with us for 15 – 20 years, that does not have a house, must have children who have been educated. So we have touched lives a lot in the area of micro incremental housing. From buying land to molding, to foundation, to roofing, and so on and so forth. And like my MD said, we challenge you to go and meet an average policeman. First, start by asking how, how long have you been with us? What have you achieved? Have you achieved buying land? Have you achieved building a house? Have you achieved the education of the children? So, you wil” get 75% above affirming this statement. So we have touched lives. Not only that of policemen, but even civil servants in the states; those who are doing business. We have brought people from small businesses to the level that when they need a loan when they grow up, we direct them to go to a commercial bank because we cannot afford such instances.

“To access loan on our better woman product, all you need is to be in business.Our Edu finance product has two arms. We give them loan to expand, to improve school in terms of if you want to buy gadgets, tools or expand in terms of building more classrooms. And then within that Edu finance also, teachers in the school, they need to pay their children’s school fees, we also give them loan. The teachers themselves want to upgrade their level of education, so we give them loan. That covers the edu fund.”

Like the MD, Tizhe also assured that “we are also safe. You, the media can follow us up. We are delighted that we are having you here. It’s an opportunity for us to say that this sector is very safe. And we have been able to prove it. For a microfinance bank to be the second best in terms of capital acquisition for shareholders in the financial sector in 2025 means that microfinance bank is strong.” (The Nation)

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