Agent Banking and Financial Inclusion in Calabar Metropolis
Abstract
The study investigated the effect of agent banking services on financial inclusion in Nigeria. A study of Calabar metropolis. Specifically, the study sought to: evaluate the extent to which accessibility, affordability and availability of agent banking services on financial inclusion in Calabar. Survey research design was employed with data obtained from primary sources. The population of the study was made up of 2286 point of sales operations (POS) representing the number of POS devices issued by sixteen (16) deposit money banks operating in Calabar Metropolis. Stratified technique was employed to distribute questionnaire to 340 respondents within the scope of the study. A sample of 340 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Consequently, a structured questionnaire was utilized to elicit responses from the sample size. Data were analyzed using multiple regression techniques. Regression result reviewed that accessibility, affordability and availability of agent banking services had a significant effect on financial inclusion. Based on this result, it was recommended that commercial banks operating should deploy more Point of Sale Terminals to enhance access to banking services. There should be stronger regulatory oversight to improve digital infrastructure and customer education programmes aimed at enhancing public confidence in agent banking systems.