The federal government has launched a massive training programme aimed at equipping 10 million Nigerians with financial literacy skills. The programme, which targets women and youths, seeks to empower participants with essential financial skills, investment knowledge, and digital competencies. According to Vice President Kashim Shettima, the initiative will be a flagship programme for President Bola Tinubu's administration, with far-reaching impacts on the Nigerian people and globally.
The registration process for the programme is being undertaken by WAWUAfrica, a leading integrated leadership and organisational excellence ecosystem. The programme has been designed in collaboration with various development partners, including the World Bank, the African Union, and the National Information Technology Development Agency. These partners have been commended by the vice president for their effective collaboration in actualising the training programme.
The programme will cover a wide range of areas, including digital literacy, financial literacy, economic literacy, and skills trades and engineering skills. The technical adviser to the president on economic and financial inclusion, Nurudeen Zauro, has stated that conversations are ongoing with stakeholders on how to educate Nigerians on the training process. He emphasized the need for citizens to be well-guided to avoid being hoodwinked into paying for the training.
The programme was signed into action in February, with the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) signing a memorandum of understanding with six professional bodies to design the training programmes. These bodies include the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and the National Institute of Credit Administration.
The unveiling of this massive training programme is a welcome development, but its success hinges on effective execution. President Bola Tinubu's administration must ensure that the programme is well-funded and that the registration process is seamless. The involvement of reputable partners such as the World Bank and the African Union is a positive step towards achieving the programme's objectives. However, the government must also address concerns around the potential for scams and ensure that citizens are not exploited. With careful planning and execution, this programme has the potential to positively impact the lives of millions of Nigerians.
