The Presidency, all 36 states, and the private sector have agreed to work together to elevate Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy by the year 2030.
The Nigerian Government has introduced the Aso Accord on Economic and Financial Inclusion, a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring that all citizens in Nigeria have equal access to financial services.
The agreement, formalised in Abuja last Thursday, was disclosed to the public yesterday through a statement released by Dr. It, the President’s Technical Advisor on Financial Inclusion. This agreement symbolizes a key element of the administration under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to elevate the country to a $1 trillion economy by 2030, concurrently addressing poverty and insecurity through widespread prosperity.
The agreement was signed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, and National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq representing the 36 states, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc., Mr. Abubakar Suleiman acting on behalf of the private sector, signed the agreement.
As stated in the official statement released following a two-day National Stakeholders’ Workshop on Economic and Financial Inclusion by Zauro, it was emphasized that “Financial inclusion is not only a vital economic goal but also a moral duty to open up possibilities for all Nigerians to realize their full potential.”
Important aspects of the agreement involve forming a top-tier Presidential Council to lead reforms, possibly via an Executive Order, and giving emphasis to creative approaches such as government-to-person (G2P) initiatives to funnel investments directly into neglected communities.
Zauro said, “The Aso Accord provides a robust framework to democratise access to finance, empower entrepreneurs and catalyse sustainable economic growth from the bottom up.”
“By enabling every Nigerian, regardless of their circumstances, to access credit, save, invest and insure their lives and businesses, we can fuel an entrepreneurial revolution that drives economic transformation across the country.”
“Financial exclusion perpetuates generational poverty, but financial inclusion catalyses economic citizenship and empowerment. The Aso Accord reflects the president’s determination to leave no Nigerian behind on our journey to sustainable prosperity.”
