What’s the Fastest Way to Increase My Credit Score?

A good credit score makes life easier. It helps you get loans, better interest rates, and more financial freedom. But many people in Nigeria struggle with low scores, often because of late payments, loan defaults, or limited credit history. The good news? You can turn things around with the right habits.

Start by paying your bills on time, this is one of the most important things you can do to improve your score. Whether it’s a loan, utility bill, or credit card, even small delays can hurt your record. If possible, set reminders or enable auto-pay. If you’re behind on any payments, try to clear them as soon as you can.

Next, tackle your outstanding debts. Prioritize high-interest or overdue ones and try to negotiate with lenders if you can’t pay in full. Once you’ve paid off a debt, ask for a written confirmation and request that the lender updates the credit bureau.

Monitor your credit score through a credit score checking app like scorewise. It also helps to keep your credit usage low. Try not to max out your credit limit, staying below 30% of what’s available is ideal. If you can, pay off part of your debt or ask for a credit limit increase, as long as you won’t be tempted to overspend.

If you don’t have much of a credit history, consider taking out a small loan or using a credit card with low interest. Just make sure to pay it back on time. This helps build your credit profile gradually. And while you're at it, don’t close old accounts, keeping them open helps lengthen your credit history, which improves your score.

You can also try tools like credit builder loans or secured credit cards. These are especially helpful if you’re just starting out or recovering from a low score. They work by showing lenders that you can make regular, reliable payments.

Finally, check your credit score frequently. It keeps you in control and lets you catch any problems early. Apps like Scorewise make it easy to track your progress. Improving your credit score won’t happen overnight, but small, consistent actions can get you there. Pay on time, borrow responsibly, and stay informed.

Most importantly, you can check your credit score regularly on Scorewise available on Apple store or playstore.