Kehinde Fajobi
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to economic reforms aimed at inclusive growth and bridging financial gaps nationwide.
Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima said the initiative aligns with the administration’s goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
As part of the event, private sector stakeholders signed an investment agreement to provide the foundational infrastructure needed to fully implement the Aso Accord initiative, a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Shettima urged stakeholders to support efforts to expand financial access for millions of unbanked Nigerians.
“Our road to a $1 trillion economy by 2030 shall remain a mere wish unless we lay a foundation strong enough to carry our dreams,” he said.
“Dreams are not built on hope alone. They are the sum of deliberate ideas and strategies, inspired by our desire to win.”
He noted that many Nigerians, including youths, women, MSMEs, and rural populations, face systemic barriers preventing them from reaching their full economic potential.
To address these challenges, Shettima explained that PreCEFI would function through a Governance Committee (GovCo) and a Technical Committee (TechCo), supported by an Implementation Secretariat.
“This framework ensures that our approach is not only robust but also adaptable to evolving challenges and opportunities in financial and economic inclusion,” he said.
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Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, the Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, described the committee’s inauguration as a crucial step towards inclusive growth and Nigeria’s $1 trillion economic target. He stressed that collaboration would be key to achieving its objectives.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu said financial inclusion had significantly boosted the state’s internally generated revenue, while Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna welcomed the initiative, calling it long overdue.
Sani noted that financial inclusion could help tackle poverty and improve digital infrastructure, particularly in the North.
Finance Minister Wale Edun assured that his ministry would ensure the Aso Accord’s vision translates into actionable reforms and impactful programmes.