A wrong credit bureau report in Nigeria can block your access to loans, mortgages, and even job opportunities. It is a serious financial setback that many Nigerians face due to errors or fraud.
This complete guide provides expert tips and proven methods to legally dispute and correct these errors. You will learn the step-by-step process, your rights under Nigerian law, and how to restore your financial reputation efficiently.
Requirements / What You Need
Before you begin the dispute process, gathering the correct documents is crucial to avoid delays. Nigerian credit bureaus require specific proof of identity and the disputed information. Here is what you need to prepare:
- Valid Government-Issued ID: Your original National Identity Number (NIN) slip, International Passport, or Driver’s License. A voter’s card is often not accepted as a primary document.
- Proof of Address: A recent utility bill (like PHCN or water bill) or a bank statement not older than three months, clearly showing your name and address.
- Credit Report Reference Number: The unique number on the credit report where you spotted the error. You must have obtained your report first from CRC Credit Bureau, FirstCentral Credit Bureau, or CreditRegistry.
- Clear Details of the Dispute: Write a concise statement identifying the exact error (e.g., “Loan X with Bank Y marked as defaulted in July 2023 is incorrect”).
- Supporting Evidence: This is key. Gather bank statements showing loan repayments, a letter from the lender confirming the error, or your payment receipts. Without this, your dispute may be rejected.
- Budget for Access & Follow-up: Getting your report costs about ₦2,000 – ₦3,500 per bureau. You may need to visit a cyber café to print documents and send scanned copies via email, as internet issues can make online submissions frustrating. Have a dedicated phone line for follow-up calls.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Obtain Your Credit Report from All Bureaus First, you must know the exact error. Visit the websites of the three major credit bureaus in Nigeria: CRC Credit Bureau, FirstCentral Credit Bureau (FCB), and CreditRegistry. Request your report online by providing your BVN, name, and date of birth. You will pay a fee (typically ₦2,000 – ₦3,500) per bureau. Watch out for: Portal errors are common; if the online payment fails, you may need to visit their physical office in Lagos or Abuja. Ensure you save the PDF report and note the unique reference number on each.
Step 2: Identify and Document the Errors Clearly Scrutinize each report line by line. Common errors include accounts you never opened, incorrect loan balances, wrong repayment status (e.g., “defaulted” when you paid), or outdated personal information. Create a simple table for each error, listing the bureau name, account in question, and why it is wrong. Watch out for: Do not dispute every minor detail at once; focus on the significant errors that hurt your score, like wrongful defaults or fraudulent accounts.
Step 3: Gather Your Supporting Evidence This is your most powerful tool. For each error, collect proof. If a loan is wrongly marked as unpaid, gather your bank statements highlighting the transaction alerts or transfer receipts. If it’s a case of identity mix-up, a police report may be necessary. Scan all documents clearly. Watch out for: Nigerian lenders can be slow to respond. Proactively get a stamped and signed letter from the bank or lender involved, clearly admitting their error, as this speeds up the bureau’s investigation immensely.
Step 4: Submit a Formal Dispute to Each Bureau You must dispute the error with each credit bureau that shows it. Visit their “Dispute Resolution” or “Report Error” page. Fill the online form, upload your evidence, and reference your report number. If the portal is problematic, send a formal email to their customer service or visit their office with a printed copy of your dispute and evidence. Watch out for: Always get an acknowledgment or ticket number for your submission. Follow up with a phone call within 72 hours to confirm receipt, as emails can get lost.
Step 5: Follow Up Relentlessly and Track Resolution The bureau has 20 working days by law to investigate and revert. However, delays are frequent. Mark your calendar and call their customer service line every 7-10 days for an update. Be polite but persistent. Once resolved, the bureau is obligated to send you an updated credit report free of charge. Watch out for: Do not assume silence means success. If the 20-day window passes without feedback, you can escalate a complaint to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) via their Consumer Protection Department.
Alternative Methods
If the standard online dispute process is challenging due to internet issues or a lack of response, you have practical alternatives tailored to the Nigerian context.
1. Physical Visit to Bureau Offices: The most direct method is to visit the head offices of the credit bureaus in Lagos (Ikoyi, Victoria Island) or Abuja (Central Business District). This is highly recommended for complex cases involving large sums or identity theft. You can submit your documents in person, get immediate acknowledgment, and speak directly with a customer service officer. This method is better when you need to escalate a stalled online complaint.
2. Engagement Through Your Bank: Since banks submit the data, they can also initiate a correction. Visit the customer service desk of the bank that reported the error. Provide them with your evidence and formally request they issue a “Data Correction Request” to the credit bureau on your behalf. This method is often faster than dealing with the bureau alone, as the bureau must investigate the bank’s submission promptly.
3. Legal or Regulatory Escalation: For unresolved disputes after 20 working days, you can file a formal complaint with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Consumer Protection Department. This is the best course when all other avenues fail, as the CBN regulates both the banks and the credit bureaus and can mandate a resolution.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: The Credit Bureau Website or Payment Portal is Not Working
You try to request your report or submit a dispute online, but the page fails to load, the payment gateway declines, or you get an error message after payment without receiving your report.
Solution: First, try accessing the site early in the morning (before 10 AM) when traffic is lower. If it persists, avoid wasting days. Call their customer service line directly—have your BVN and personal details ready. They can often generate your report and send it via email after confirming your identity. For persistent portal issues, the most reliable solution is to plan a visit to their nearest office in Lagos or Abuja.
Problem: Your Report Shows a “Mixed File” (Someone Else’s Debt)
This is a frequent issue in Nigeria, where your report includes loans or defaults from a person with a similar name or a previous user of your phone number. Your credit score is unfairly damaged by another person’s financial behaviour.
Solution: Immediately gather your valid ID (NIN is best) and proof that you never applied for that specific loan. Contact the lender (bank or fintech) first to get a written confirmation that the account is not yours. Submit this, along with a formal dispute to the credit bureau, highlighting it as a case of “mixed identity.” A police report can strengthen your case if the lender is uncooperative.
Problem: The Bank or Lender is Unresponsive to Your Correction Request
You’ve identified an error from a specific bank, but their customer service staff give you the “run-around,” promise to call back but never do, or claim the process is internal and will take months.
Solution: Escalate within the bank. Ask for the direct email or desk of the Credit Risk Management or Compliance Department. Send a formal written complaint with your evidence and copy the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at cpd@cbn.gov.ng in the “CC” field. Mentioning the CBN often triggers a faster, more serious response from the bank’s internal team to resolve the issue before it escalates to the regulator.
Fees, Costs and Timeline
Understanding the official costs and realistic timeline is key to managing your expectations and avoiding scams. The primary cost is for obtaining your credit report, which typically ranges from ₦2,000 to ₦3,500 per bureau. There is no official fee to submit a dispute or request a correction; this service is mandated by the CBN. Be wary of agents or touts at cyber cafés or business centres who claim they can “expedite” the process for an extra fee—this is often a scam.
The legal timeline for resolution is 20 working days from when the credit bureau acknowledges your dispute. However, in practice, complex cases or those requiring lender feedback can take 30-45 days. If you must visit a bureau office in person, factor in transport costs, which will be higher if you are traveling from another state like Rivers or Kano to Lagos or Abuja. Always insist on official receipts for any payment made.
Warnings and Scams to Avoid
As you work to fix your report, stay vigilant against common scams that exploit Nigerians in this situation.
- Avoid “Guaranteed” Fix Agents: Individuals on WhatsApp, Facebook, or at business centres claiming they can “clean” your credit report for a hefty fee (e.g., ₦50,000) are fraudulent. No one can legally erase accurate negative information; only proven errors can be corrected through the official process.
- Beware of Fake Portals and Phishing: Only use the official websites of CRC Credit Bureau, FirstCentral Credit Bureau, and CreditRegistry. Do not click on links from SMS or emails promising a “free credit score check,” as they may be phishing attempts to steal your BVN and personal details.
- Ignore Upfront “Processing Fees”: As stated, disputing an error is free. Anyone demanding an upfront payment to “process your dispute paperwork” is scamming you. The only legitimate costs are for obtaining your initial report.
- Verify “CBN Officials”: Scammers may call posing as CBN or bureau officials asking for your BVN or OTP to “resolve your case.” Genuine officials will never ask for sensitive details over the phone. Always hang up and call back using the official contact number listed on the institution’s website.
Acceptance, Use and Next Steps
Once your credit report is corrected, it becomes a vital tool for your financial life in Nigeria. A clean report is widely accepted by all commercial banks, major microfinance banks, and licensed fintech companies (like FairMoney or Branch) when you apply for loans, credit cards, or mortgages. It is also increasingly used by some employers for background checks and by landlords for tenancy applications.
Your immediate next step should be to download and save your updated report from each bureau as proof of the correction. Proactively, you can then use this clean report to apply for a small, manageable loan or credit facility (even if you don’t urgently need it) and repay it diligently. This starts building a new, positive credit history. A crucial limitation to understand is that this process only removes inaccuracies. It cannot remove correctly reported late payments or defaults; those will remain on your report for their mandated period, typically six years. Therefore, consistent responsible credit behaviour is the only permanent solution for long-term financial health.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a bad credit report last in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, negative information like loan defaults, late payments, or write-offs typically remains on your credit report for six (6) years from the date the account was settled or closed. This is the standard mandated by the Credit Reporting Act. However, if the information is an error, you can dispute and have it removed at any time, regardless of this timeline.
Can I check my credit score for free in Nigeria?
Officially, the three major credit bureaus charge a fee (₦2,000 – ₦3,500) for a full credit report, which includes your score. Some banks and fintech apps may provide a free basic credit score indicator as a service to their customers, but for a detailed report needed for disputes, you must purchase it from the bureaus directly. Be cautious of completely “free” services that may be scams.
What is the difference between CRC and CreditRegistry?
CRC Credit Bureau and CreditRegistry (now owned by Chapel Hill Denham) are two separate, licensed credit bureaus in Nigeria. They collect data from similar sources (banks, telcos) but may have slightly different reports because lenders report to them independently. You must check and, if necessary, dispute errors with each bureau separately, as a correction on one does not automatically update the other.
Will my credit score improve immediately after a correction?
Yes, but the improvement depends on the error. If a major negative item like a wrongful default is removed, your score can see a significant and relatively quick boost once the bureau updates its system. The updated score is usually reflected in your next report, which you can request shortly after the dispute is resolved. However, building an excellent score requires consistent positive behaviour over time.
Can a wrong BVN affect my credit report?
Absolutely. Your Bank Verification Number (BVN) is the primary link to your credit history. If there is an error in your BVN-linked biodata (like a name misspelling) or if it is fraudulently linked to another person’s accounts, it can cause a “mixed file” where their debt appears on your report. Correcting your BVN details with your bank is a critical first step in fixing such identity-related credit errors.
Who regulates credit bureaus in Nigeria?
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the primary regulator for credit bureaus, overseeing their operations and ensuring compliance with the Credit Reporting Act 2017. If you have an unresolved complaint with a bureau after 20 working days, you should escalate it to the CBN’s Consumer Protection Department (CPD). This regulatory oversight is your ultimate safeguard.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes and reflects general procedures for credit report disputes in Nigeria. Financial regulations and bureau processes may change. This content does not constitute legal or financial advice. For your specific situation, you should verify all information directly with the official credit bureaus (CRC, FirstCentral, CreditRegistry) or consult a qualified financial advisor. The author and publisher are not liable for decisions made based on this information.