Industry Information

Frequently asked questions on loans powered by Remita

November 17, 2025

Chibugo Ohanyiri

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Managing loan repayments has never been simple, and these days, it feels even more complicated. Tracking everything manually or relying on ad hoc reminders only goes so far before errors pile up.

That is why Remita Direct Debit has become a key tool for lenders. It automates repayment collection by pulling funds from authorized borrower accounts on scheduled due dates, reducing missed payments. This article explains how Remita Direct Debit works, who can use it, its limitations, and how lenders can leverage it to improve repayment consistency.

What is Remita Direct Debit?

Remita Direct Debit is a CBN-licensed payment system built into Lendsqr that lets lenders collect repayments automatically from a borrower’s bank account. Once a borrower signs the mandate, the repayment flow becomes predictable. The lender doesn’t have to chase, and the borrower doesn’t have to remember dates. It simply pulls the agreed amount from the borrower’s bank account on the scheduled day.

How do I set up Remita Direct Debit for my loan product on Lendsqr?

The lender activates it from the Admin Console by opening the loan product settings and selecting direct debit as the repayment method. Once that’s done, the borrower authorizes the mandate during application. That single authorization enables the system to process repayments throughout the loan lifecycle automatically.

Can Remita direct debit foreign bank accounts?

No. Remita Direct Debit doesn’t support foreign accounts because the system was built on Nigeria’s regulated banking rails. It relies on the Nigerian Uniform Bank Account Number (NUBAN) standards and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) processing, so the borrower must hold an account within that network for the mandate to work as intended. Anything outside that ecosystem is beyond Remita’s operational scope.

Which banks support Remita direct debit for loan repayments?

The service works across major Nigerian banks, including Access, Citi, Ecobank, Fidelity, FCMB, GTBank, Zenith, and other local institutions connected to NIBSS. The mandate runs only on these banks because they share the same infrastructure and compliance structure.

How many times does Remita attempt to collect repayment in a day?

Remita’s retry pattern is fixed because the system is designed to catch the moment money lands without putting the borrower through extra stress. It cycles through three to four attempts on the due date, which is enough to recover a repayment if earlier tries fail because the account was low or another payment channel was in the way.

Can borrowers pay off their loans early using Remita direct debit?

No. For early repayment, its mandate is triggered only on the agreed schedule, and that limitation is intentional. Triggering it outside the due date risks double debits or failed reversals. Anyone trying to clear their balance in advance has to use a direct channel transfer, USSD, or any manual option the lender supports.

Why was I charged more than my loan repayment amount?

The higher charge isn’t part of the loan itself. The Remita processing fee is part of the repayment amount. It’s small and fixed, and it’s added because the system treats it as the cost of executing the debit securely through the payment system.

Can a direct debit mandate be used for a loan amount higher than its limit?

No. A mandate can’t stretch beyond the amount the borrower originally approved. The mandate defines the ceiling the system is allowed to pull. If the loan amount exceeds that ceiling, the mandate becomes invalid for that loan. The borrower has to authorize a new one with the updated limit before any automated repayment can run.

Can lenders track and verify Remita direct debit transactions on Lendsqr?

Yes. Lenders can see every Remita debit that passes through Lendsqr because the platform reconciles those transactions against Remita’s daily reports. Each debit carries a reference that the finance team uses for confirmation and settlement, so nothing is unverified or off the books. The tracking is built into the system, not handled manually.

Why can’t some users add their bank accounts for Remita direct debit on Lendsqr?

Users who can’t add certain bank accounts run into a Remita limitation, not Lendsqr. Some banks, such as First Bank, Stanbic IBTC, and Standard Chartered, don’t support Remita mandates, so the system blocks those accounts at setup. Auto-debits only work with banks that have full Remita mandate integration.

Can Remita direct debit help reduce loan default rates?

Yes. By automating loan repayment collections through Remita direct debit, lenders reduce the risk of delayed or missed payments. Automated deductions improve cash flow predictability and encourage borrower accountability, which helps lower default rates.

Are there fees associated with using Remita direct debit on Lendsqr?

Yes, Remita charges a small processing fee for each successful loan repayment transaction. Typically, this fee is a fixed amount (e.g., ₦50) or a nominal percentage deducted from the repayment before the lender receives the net repayment. The fee exists because Remita handles the routing, authorization, and settlement of the repayment, and the charge covers that operational layer.

What happens if a borrower’s bank account has insufficient funds on the due date?

If the borrower’s account can’t cover the repayment on the due date, the system cycles through the standard retry window (3-4 attempts). Those three to four attempts are spread across the day to give Remita a chance to catch any incoming funds. When all retries fail, the mandate can’t recover that installment, so the borrower has to clear it manually through any other payment channel the lender supports.

Can borrowers cancel or revoke their Remita direct debit mandate?

Yes. Borrowers can request to cancel or update their direct debit mandate, but this must be done before the next scheduled repayment date. Cancellation stops automatic deductions, requiring borrowers to repay manually to avoid delinquency.

Is Remita direct debit available for all loan products on Lendsqr?

Yes. Remita Direct Debit works across any loan product as long as the lender is on the Pro plan or above and has switched the product’s repayment method to direct debit. The feature isn’t universal by default; it only applies when the lender enables it inside the admin console.

How quickly do lenders receive funds collected via Remita direct debit?

Funds recovered via Remita direct debit are typically settled to lenders on a T+1 basis, meaning the next business day after collection. This timely settlement supports lender cash flow and operational needs.

How does Remita direct debit compare to card-based payments for loan repayments?

Compared to card-based repayment, direct debit is steadier. Cards fail for reasons unrelated to the borrower: expiry, blocks, fraud flags, and insufficient limits. A mandate tied to a bank account avoids those points of failure. Once authorized, deductions run on schedule.

Can digital lenders integrated with Lendsqr offer Remita-powered loans outside Nigeria?

Currently, Remita direct debit works only with Nigerian bank accounts, limiting its use to borrowers with valid Nigerian banking details. Lenders targeting diaspora or foreign borrowers must arrange for Nigerian bank accounts to use Remita direct debit.

Is there customer support available for issues with Remita direct debit on Lendsqr?

Yes, both Lendsqr and Remita provide support channels for resolving mandate setup issues, failed payments, and transaction disputes. Lenders can get help by reaching out to [email protected] with any enquiries or problems.

Closing the loop on repayment control

Remita Direct Debit transforms the way lenders manage repayment risk. Embedding the collection process into borrowers’ banking routines enforces discipline and provides lenders with a predictable flow of funds. Its limitations are tied to banking networks and scheduled mandates, but within those bounds, it delivers consistent results.

Understanding its mechanics informs strategy. Lenders who understand when and how the system works, what accounts it covers, and how fees and retries operate can design products that give borrowers control over the business. To implement Remita Direct Debit and optimize your loan operations, explore Lendsqr’s infrastructure today.