Claim: A viral screenshot claims that Access Bank has announced it will shut down its operations effective September 23.
Verdict: False. Access Bank did not announce plans to shut down its operations on Sept. 23, 2026. The bank has debunked the viral claim and confirmed that it continues to operate normally.
Full Text
A viral screenshot circulating on social media claims that Access Bank has announced plans to cease operations as of Sept. 23, 2026. The post suggested that customers should prepare for the bank’s permanent shutdown.
As of July 31, 2026, one of the posts sharing the screenshot had garnered 21 likes, 42 comments, and six shares.
The claim sparked concern among some users, with several questioning the safety of their deposits and whether they should transfer their funds to other banks.
For instance, a user identified as Peace Akunne commented, “Make I kukuma switch. Naso, they started with Diamond Bank.”
Another user, Onwe Chukwuma, wrote, “I will go and collect my remaining 1500.”
However, not everyone believed the claim. Some users dismissed it as false. Nwanyi Ife commented, “Fake please,” while another user, Chioma Onyedum, simply wrote, “Fake.”
The screenshot has continued to circulate on Facebook with users questioning its veracity here, here and here.
Given the conflicting reactions in the comment section, the anxiety the viral claim generated among customers, and users’ call for verification, DUBAWA was prompted to verify its authenticity.
Verification
To verify the claim, DUBAWA conducted keyword searches to determine whether any credible news organisations or regulatory authorities had reported that Access Bank planned to shut down its operations.
If a commercial bank in Nigeria were to suspend or discontinue operations, such a major development would be communicated through official regulatory channels, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and widely reported by credible media organisations.
However, our search found no reports from reputable news outlets or regulatory authorities supporting the claim that Access Bank was shutting down.
DUBAWA then reviewed Access Bank’s official social media accounts on Instagram and X to check whether the bank had issued any announcement regarding the alleged closure. We found a statement on its official X account on Thursday, July 30, 2026, describing the message circulating online as “false and misleading.”
The bank reassured customers of its financial stability and stated that its services continue to run seamlessly.
We also found a news report by Punch referencing Access Bank’s statement.
Screenshot of Access Bank’s debunk.
This is not the first time Access Bank has been the subject of false shutdown rumours. In 2020, the bank debunked claims that it was closing hundreds of branches and laying off staff.
Similarly, in December 2025, the Association of Corporate Communications and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) dismissed viral claims that 12 Nigerian banks, including Access Bank, were set to shut down because of recapitalisation.
Conclusion
The claim that Access Bank announced it would shut down its operations effective Sept. 23, 2026, is false. DUBAWA found no evidence from the bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, or credible news organisations to support the claim.
Instead, Access Bank has publicly debunked the viral message, confirming that it is false and that the bank continues to operate normally.