By Majeed Salaam
The federal government has launched an ambitious programme to train 10 million Nigerians in financial literacy and inclusion, signalling a major push to strengthen human and institutional capacity for a digital economy. The initiative, flagged off on Monday, Feb 02, at the State House in Abuja, is backed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and six professional bodies.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the initiative as a “strategic national investment in capacity as infrastructure.” He emphasised that Nigeria’s demographic dividend can only be realised if women and young people are deliberately equipped with the skills, competence, and ethical grounding necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving financial and digital ecosystem.
The training programme is being implemented through the Office of the Vice President via the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), which Vice President Shettima chairs. The collaboration with the professional bodies – Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA), Chartered Risk Management Institute (CRMI), and Nigeria Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NIIE) – is designed to create structured training pathways, certification programmes, mentorship platforms, and digital skills initiatives.
Vice President Shettima explained that financial inclusion is not achieved through access alone. “Access without competence, trust, and capability cannot drive meaningful inclusion,” he said. “We cannot build a one-trillion-dollar economy on weak skills, fragmented standards, or disconnected professional ecosystems.” By leveraging the expertise of professional bodies, the programme aims to align skill development, policy standards, and practical market competence with national inclusion goals.
A key focus of the programme is youth and women empowerment. The Vice President noted that prioritising these groups is critical for sustainable economic growth. “Nigeria’s demographic dividend will only materialise if young people and women are equipped with relevant skills and strong ethical foundations,” he said. The programme seeks to bridge gaps in digital literacy, financial management, and professional skills that are essential for meaningful participation in the economy.
The event featured remarks from key stakeholders. Haruna Yahaya, President of ICAN, commended the government for its economic reforms and pledged the institute’s full support for the initiative, describing it as “timely and critical to sustaining recent economic gains.” Emmanuel Lennox, CEO of WAWU Africa, the programme’s technical partner, assured that the necessary digital platforms and enabling infrastructure would be provided to ensure the programme’s success.
Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, highlighted that financial exclusion often stems from weak institutional capacity and limited skills rather than mere lack of access. “Financial inclusion is achieved when people and institutions are equipped to use infrastructure responsibly, productively, and sustainably,” he said.
The MoU between the FG and the six professional bodies marked the highlight of the flag-off ceremony.
