EFFECTS OF FINTECH-BASED LENDING AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN NIGERIA

This study examined the effect of fintech-based lending on financial inclusion in Nigeria with particular emphasis on the roles of digital financial literacy, internet penetration and digital financial infrastructure. A correlational and causal research design was adopted by utilizing secondary data obtained from credible sources such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access and the World Bank. The data covered the period from 2015 to 2024 and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. the study is based on only 10 observations using pearson correlation and regression analysis to test the formulated hypotheses. The findings revealed that fintech-based lending has a positive and statistically significant effect on financial inclusion in Nigeria, indicating that digital lending platforms significantly enhance access to credit and promote participation in formal financial systems. The results also showed that digital financial literacy, internet penetration and digital financial infrastructure have significant positive effects on financial inclusion. These findings shows that while fintech-based lending is a key driver of financial inclusion, its effectiveness is largely dependent on the availability of digital infrastructure and the capacity of users to engage with digital financial services. The study concluded that fintech-based lending plays a crucial role in advancing financial inclusion in Nigeria by reducing barriers to credit access and expanding financial service delivery. It recommended that policymakers, financial institutions and fintech companies should strengthen digital infrastructure, promote financial literacy and implement supportive regulatory frameworks to enhance the impact of fintech innovations.