Missed a Payment? Here’s How to Bounce Back and Fix Your Credit

Missed a loan or bill payment in Nigeria? It happens, but it can lower your credit score if reported to any of the credit bureaus, but the good news is you can recover.

First, act fast!

Pay off the missed amount as soon as you can. The longer the delay, the more damage it does. Contact your lender to explain and see if they’ll update your record once payment is made.

Then, rebuild!

• Check your credit report to confirm what’s been reported
• Avoid future missed payments by setting reminders or automating repayments.
• Take small credit steps like using low-limit loans or BNPL and repay on time, a good example is Oja by Tendar.
• Pay down existing debts gradually to improve your credit health.

Be consistent!

It can take 3 to 6 months to see improvement, but each on-time payment helps. Your score will recover with steady effort.

Need help staying on track? You can check your credit score by yourself on the Scorewise app, available on the App Store or the Play Store.