EFFECT OF POST COVID 19 ON THE NIGERIAN BANKING SECTOR (A STUDY OF ACCESS BANK BRANCHES, AGBOR, DELTA STATE)

This study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian banking sector, with specific focus on Access Bank branches in Agbor, Delta State. The objectives of the study were to assess the impact of the pandemic on bank profitability, analyze its effect on loan repayment and credit risk, To investigate if COVID-19 affected all banking operation in Nigeria banking sector and evaluate the role of Central Bank in supporting Nigeria banking sector during the pandemic of covid-19.The study was guided by the following hypothesis: COVID-19 had no significant effect on the financial performnance of Access Bank during the pandemic. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population of 120 staff and customers of Access Bank in Agbor,and a sample size of 100 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through descriptive statistics (mean,frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics using SPSS. The findings revealed that COVID-19 had a significant negative impact on Access Bank's profitability and increased credit risk due to a rise in Ioan defaults. However, the bank's rapid shift to digital platforms (such as mobile and online banking) helped to maintain service delivery and reduce customer attrition. Cashless policy was implemented. The study also showed that the Central Bank of Nigeria's interventions (such as loan restructuring and CRR reduction) played a critical role in sustaining banking operations during the peak of the pandemic. The study concluded that while the pandemic posed significant challenges, Access Bank's resilience was largely driven by regulatory support and digital innovation. It is recommended that banks further strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance credit risk management frameworks, and develop contingency plans to mitigate future shocks.Firms that have stopped working miss out on revenues, and therefore might not be able to repay loans.Similarly,households with members who have lost their jobs or are furloughed have less income,and therefore might not be able to repay their loans,banks were negatively affected as bonds and other traded financial instruments have lost value, resulting in further losses for banks