The Federal Government has launched a nationwide free training programme aimed at equipping 10 million Nigerians with financial literacy and inclusion skills, with priority given to women and youths.
The programme, organised by the Office of the Vice-President through the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), was unveiled on Monday. PreCEFI is chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
To implement the initiative, the Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with six professional bodies to develop training modules, certification pathways, digital skills programmes and mentorship platforms to strengthen Nigeria’s financial and enterprise workforce.
The partner organisations include the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, National Institute of Credit Administration, Chartered Risk Management Institute, and Nigerian Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the event, Shettima described the initiative as a strategic investment in human capacity, stressing that financial inclusion requires competence, trust and capability beyond access to financial services. He said the programme aligns with the Aso Accord on Economic and Financial Inclusion and aims to support inclusive economic growth.
The vice-president added that collaboration with professional bodies would support capacity building, policy dialogue, digital transformation and youth empowerment, while strengthening professional standards across the financial sector.
President of ICAN, Haruna Yahaya, commended the Federal Government’s economic reforms and pledged professional support for the initiative. Technical partners, WAWU Africa, also assured stakeholders of providing digital infrastructure to support the programme’s implementation.
