The third batch certification programme for microfinance banks nationwide will now hold between January 31 and February 12, the Other Financial Institutions Department (OFID) of CBN has said.

Mr Patrick Akpala, Deputy Director, OFID told newsmen on Monday in Lagos that the earlier date of January 24 to February 5 was no longer realistic due to the ongoing voters registration.

According to Akpala, the certification programme is to allow participants ample time to take part in the voters’ registration exercise.

He told newsmen that the certification programme was to ensure that microfinance banks left in the wake of 103 microfinance banks liquidated by CBN in October 2010 were relevant and more competent.

“After the last reform on the sub-sector, the apex bank still needs to ensure that those that are not affected are properly positioned in the discharge of their services to the poor.

“Some of them, apart from other factors limiting their operations, are still imitating commercial banks in the discharge of their services, which may pose difficulties for them later.

“To this end, the apex body would continually impact skills that would enable them to overcome some of the identified limitations combating the sector and make them live up to expectations,” Akpala said.

He said that some operators whose licences were permanently revoked were even urged to undertake the certification programmes.

“This will help them in the future because they can still be relevant in other areas,” Akpala said.

Our correspondent reports that those who participated in the first and second batch of certification programmes had already been examined by Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) on October 6 and October 7.