The federal government has signed an agreement called the Aso Accord with state governments and private sector stakeholders to make financial services affordable and accessible to all Nigerians, including those who are disadvantaged or have low incomes.
This is according to a statement by the vice president’s aide, Stanley Nkwocha on Thursday.
Nkwocha noted that the accord was signed during a two-day workshop for Economic and Financial Inclusion held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said that signing on behalf of the federal government were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Yemi Cardoso.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, signed the Accord on behalf of the states.
On the part of the private sector, the Managing Director/CEO of Sterling Bank PLC, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, signed the Accord.
At the opening of the workshop, Vice President Shettima called for a renewed commitment from state governors and other key figures involved in the nation’s economic and financial inclusion efforts.
He emphasized the need to work together to create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all Nigerians.
On his part, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Hassan Hadejia, emphasized high expectations from stakeholders to address the growing gender gap in financial inclusion.
Also present at the event were the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur; Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Umar Tafida and heads of government agencies.