FG Flags Off Training for 10 Million Citizens to Bolster Financial Inclusion

VP Shettima Flags Off Free Financial Literacy Program for Nigerian Youths and Women

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Office of the Vice President, has officially launched a nationwide free training programme aimed at equipping 10 million Nigerians with essential financial and digital literacy skills. The initiative, flagged off on Monday, 2 February 2026, is a strategic component of the government's "Renewed Hope" agenda to bridge the economic divide and drive the nation toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

During the launch at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Kashim Shettima underscored that financial inclusion is the "human infrastructure" necessary for sustainable growth. He noted that while access to financial services has improved, many citizens remain excluded due to a lack of competence and trust in the digital financial system.

Strategic Partnership with Professional Bodies

To ensure the programme's success and global standards, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six leading professional institutions. These bodies will collaborate to design the curriculum, certification pathways, and mentorship frameworks:

1. Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)

2. Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)

3. Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS)

4. National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA)

5. Chartered Risk Management Institute (CRMI)

6. Nigeria Institute of Innovation and Enterprise

Focus on Women, Youth, and MSMEs

The programme specifically targets vulnerable and underrepresented demographics. Vice President Shettima highlighted that women and youth would be given priority, as they face the most significant systemic barriers to financial empowerment.

“Financial inclusion is not achieved by access alone, but by competence, trust, and capability,” Shettima stated. “Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian can move from merely owning a wallet to actively building wealth.”

The training will cover a broad spectrum of competencies, including:

• MSME Formalisation: Helping small businesses move into the formal economy.

• Credit Administration: Teaching citizens how to access and manage loans beyond traditional collateral.

• Digital Skills: Enhancing the use of fintech tools for payments, savings, and investments.

• Risk Management: Educating participants on consumer protection and fraud prevention.

Implementation and Impact

The Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) will oversee the rollout. This initiative aligns with recent data showing Nigeria's financial inclusion rate rose to 74% in 2023, with the government now aiming to close the remaining gap through "deliberate ideas and strategies."

Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, emphasized that "exclusion is not only by lack of access but by limited skills and weak institutional support." This training seeks to provide that missing support to millions of unbanked and underbanked Nigerians.