Nigerians are increasingly taking loans from banks to buy or build houses, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CBN disclosed this in its Credit Condition Survey Report for the second quarter of 2026.

According to the report, credit for house purchases by households rose to 9.6 index points during the period, showing that more Nigerians were seeking loans to finance their housing needs.

The apex bank also reported that lenders recorded an increase in credit availability for secured, unsecured and corporate lending during the quarter.

The report showed that overall demand for secured lending increased to 15.1 index points, while demand for corporate lending rose to 15.2 index points.

However, demand for unsecured lending remained low at -1.2 index points.

The CBN said consumer loans to households increased to 11.2 index points, while lending for house purchases rose to 9.6 index points.

Loans to small businesses also recorded a significant increase, rising to 26.4 index points.

Mortgage and re-mortgage lending to households increased to 13.3 index points.

For unsecured loans, the CBN said overdrafts and personal loans to households increased to 7.9 index points. However, credit card lending declined to -2.0 index points.

The report also showed that corporate lending increased across most categories.

Loans to small businesses rose to 26.5 index points, while lending to medium-sized private non-financial companies increased to 25.5 index points.

Credit to large private non-financial companies also increased to 8.9 index points.

However, lending to other financial corporations remained unchanged at 0.0 index points.

The CBN also reported an improvement in loan repayment, saying banks recorded lower default rates across both secured and unsecured lending.

Default rates also declined among small businesses, medium-sized private non-financial companies, large private non-financial companies and other financial corporations.

The findings suggest that despite the economic pressures facing households and businesses, demand for bank credit remained strong in some key areas, particularly housing and small business financing.