More banks deploy Google Pay for digital payments – Daily Trust

More Nigerian banks are integrating Google Pay into their digital cost providers as monetary establishments increase contactless cost choices and reply to rising demand for handy and safe transactions.

FirstBank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) have introduced the mixing of the worldwide digital pockets platform for eligible cardholders.

Google Pay, which launched in Nigeria on October 27, 2026, allows customers so as to add eligible cost playing cards to suitable gadgets and pay for purchases with out presenting bodily playing cards.

Our correspondent reviews that the event marks one other step within the evolution of Nigeria’s digital payments market, as banks deepen expertise investments to enhance buyer expertise and increase entry to fashionable cost options.

Apart from FirstBank and UBA, GTCO had additionally introduced the mixing whereas Zenith Bank via its Mastercard credit score, debit and pay as you go playing cards, additionally allow

FirstBank stated the mixing would allow eligible cardholders so as to add their playing cards to Google Pay and make contactless payments at supported terminals worldwide.

The financial institution’s Group Head, e-Business and Retail Products, Abednego Ugwueke, stated the event aligned with its digital transformation technique and dedication to enhancing banking providers.

“At FirstBank, we are constantly evolving our digital capabilities to deliver banking experiences that are simple, secure and aligned with the lifestyle of our customers,” he stated.

Ugwueke described the mixing as a big step in direction of offering eligible cardholders with a globally accepted cost resolution, including that the financial institution would proceed bringing international cost applied sciences nearer to prospects.

The service enhances FirstBank’s current digital channels, together with LIT App, FirstMobile, FirstOnline and FirstDirect, alongside its vary of cost playing cards.

UBA stated it was the primary financial institution in Nigeria to allow Google Pay for eligible Visa and Mastercard customers, describing the event as a part of its dedication to delivering safe, handy and revolutionary banking providers.

The financial institution’s Directorate Head, Cards, Orry Seem, stated the service would simplify on a regular basis transactions by permitting prospects to make use of their telephones as digital wallets.

“Our customers live busy lives, and the way they pay should make those lives easier. For many of them, the phone is the first thing they reach for, so it makes sense for it to become their wallet too,” she stated.

Seem added that the mixing would allow prospects to transact regionally and internationally wherever Google Pay is accepted.

UBA’s Group Head, Brands, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, stated the initiative mirrored the financial institution’s ambition to guide the adoption of revolutionary digital cost options.

“Digital payment in Nigeria is growing fast, and customers expect more ways to pay. Making Google Pay available to our Visa and Mastercard cardholders gives them a simple, fast option for everyday purchases, backed by the security of their UBA cards,” she stated.

Ladipo stated the financial institution would proceed collaborating with international expertise and cost companions to introduce new banking choices.

UBA additionally presents cellular and web banking providers and LEO, its synthetic intelligence-powered digital banking assistant.

Both banks stated the adoption of Google Pay would supply prospects with higher flexibility whereas supporting the transition in direction of a digitally pushed economic system.

How Google Pay will work in Nigeria

To entry the service, prospects will first want so as to add an eligible financial institution card to Google Wallet on a suitable Android smartphone and full any verification required by their financial institution.

Once that has been carried out and the cardboard activated, prospects can use Google Pay at taking part retailers that settle for the service.

For in-store payments, the cellphone should assist near-field communication (NFC), the expertise that enables gadgets to speak over brief distances.

At checkout, prospects can unlock their telephones, authenticate the cost the place required and maintain the gadget close to a suitable contactless cost terminal.

The terminal captures the cost request and sends it via the related cost techniques to the card-issuing financial institution for authorisation. If the transaction is accredited, the cost is accomplished in a lot the identical manner as a transaction made with a bodily contactless card.

Google Pay will also be used for on-line and in-app purchases at taking part retailers that supply it as a cost choice. Instead of getting into card particulars manually, prospects can choose Google Pay at checkout and ensure the transaction.

Availability will rely on the shopper’s financial institution, card sort, gadget compatibility and whether or not the service provider helps Google Pay. Customers ought to examine Google’s supported-card checklist and ensure eligibility with their banks earlier than trying so as to add a card.