The federal government has signed the Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion with state governments and private sector stakeholders in a move to deliver affordable financial services to all Nigerians, especially disadvantaged and low-income segments.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Yemi Cardoso, signed the accord on behalf of the federal government, Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, signed for the states, while Sterling Bank Plc’s MD/CEO, Abubakar Suleiman, represented the private sector.
A statement issued by the senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, office of the vice president, Stanley Nkwocha, said the workshop was organised by the Office of the Technical Advisor to the President on Financial Inclusion (Office of the Vice President).
Declaring the workshop open, Vice President Shettima demanded a renewed commitment from state governors and other key players in the nation’s economic and financial inclusion space to forge a more inclusive and prosperous future for all Nigerians.
According to him, while President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive economic growth for sustainable development had been unmistakable, “at the core of Mr. President’s economic recovery strategy lies a multifaceted approach aimed at rescuing the economy through various means.”
The VP who listed the means to include, “job creation, ensuring food security, eradicating extreme poverty, and, notably, facilitating access to capital,” pointed out that these “form the foundation upon which our nation’s prosperity rests.
“They also demonstrate our resolve to reinvent a system where economic empowerment is not just a dream but a tangible reality for all.
“I stand here today compelled to express my heartfelt commendation to all the esteemed individuals who have been pivotal in advancing the cause of financial inclusion in Nigeria. From the tireless efforts of the present and past Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria to the unwavering dedication of the Federal Ministry of Finance, each of you has played an indispensable role in championing this noble cause over the years.
“I am proud to announce that part of our agenda today involves the signing of the Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion. This accord will symbolize a renewed and active commitment from all leaders in the economic and financial inclusion space, affirming our collective resolve to forge a more inclusive and prosperous future for every Nigerian.”
In his goodwill message at the event, the 14th Emir of Kano and former CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, emphasised the need for a review of strategies for enhancing financial inclusion and literacy across the country, noting that it is a continuous work requiring consistent implementation.
He stressed the need for the integration of financial literacy in the educational curriculum of schools in the country, explaining that there is a direct correlation between financial exclusion and the wave of insecurity and poverty levels, among other vices in the country.
In his remarks, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Edun, said financial inclusion is an integral element of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, especially in ensuring prosperity for all Nigerians by reaching the 100 percent financial inclusion mark.
He commended the support of stakeholders and the critical role played by the CBN in ensuring that the 100 percent target is reached in the shortest possible time, just as he pledged the support of his ministry in ensuring that the targets set by actors are realised.
The representative of the CBN Governor, Dr. Clement Buari, who is the bank’s Director of Strategy Management, said the apex bank was doing a lot to accelerate financial inclusion across the country, particularly in underserved communities, insisting that it is a moral and pragmatic obligation for the CBN to take citizens out of the prison of deprivation.
