The federal government has launched a new initiative to establish an operating model and framework for Economic and Financial Inclusion, aiming to transform Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The project is designed to combat poverty and catalyse sustainable economic growth from the ground up.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said the initiative symbolises the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to enhancing financial and economic inclusion across Nigeria.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday during the Kick-off meeting for the initiative to set up an Operating Model for Economic and Financial Inclusion for the Office of the Vice President.
The federal government had on April 25, 2024 unveiled the Aso Accord on Economic and Financial Inclusion, a multi-pronged blueprint designed to achieve universal access to financial services.
The accord represents a core pillar of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to transform the nation into a $1trillion economy by 2030, while combating poverty and insecurity through broad-based prosperity.
Addressing members of the team and other stakeholders at the maiden meeting, the Vice President noted that the idea is to provide access to capital and eradicate poverty through legislative interventions and critical policies.
According to Shettima, at the heart of every strategy championed by President Tinubu, there has been the need to prioritise inclusive economic growth and development.
He listed some positive results the efforts have yielded to include the recent upgrade of Nigeria’s credit outlook to positive by Fitch Ratings, noting that it is in recognition of the reform progress under President Tinubu.
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VP Shettima pointed out that due to the administration’s belief that its approach to inclusive growth must be strategic and sustainable, economic and financial inclusion was elevated to the agenda of the National Economic Council (NEC), where all governors of the 36 states and the FCT minister participate in crucial policy deliberations alongside other stakeholders.
He implored members of the implementation team and all stakeholders involved in the initiative to recognise the weight of their responsibility, saying what they have at hand is a vital national assignment.
The Vice President stated: “You have been entrusted with a vital national assignment, and I have full confidence that you will bring your best efforts to ensure its success.
Also speaking during the meeting, Technical Advisor to the President on Financial Inclusion, Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, reported substantial progress in implementing the Aso Accord on financial inclusion and a series of initiatives aimed at broadening financial access across the nation.
Dr. Zauro, while acknowledging the role of Vice President Shettima in supporting the signing of the acco and ongoing implementation, reported that discussions on financial inclusion have now reached the highest levels of government, including NEC.
He disclosed that the team is planning capacity-building initiatives and “high-profile training for permanent secretaries and Commissioners of Finance to ensure that practical knowledge on financial inclusion would be injected where they are needed.”
Project Manager at the Lagos Business School, Prof. Olayinka David-West, commended the Tinubu administration for putting economic and financial inclusion on the front burner by signing the Aso Accord earlier in April.
She said the team at the Lagos Business School working with its counterpart in the VP’s office and other stakeholders is looking at the legal framework for financial inclusion as well as giving the initiative the convening power, and national coordination to drive ownership across the country.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
