By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has underscored the urgent need to address financial inclusion gaps to achieve Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy vision by 2030.
Speaking at the inaugural Development Partners Roundtable on Economic and Financial Inclusion in Abuja, he called for an inclusive financial system to bridge systemic inequalities affecting Nigerians across gender and geography.
In a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima revealed alarming disparities in digital financial service access, with only 23% of women using such services compared to 43% of men. He attributed the gaps to socio-economic barriers, including low income, limited education, and restricted access to financial tools like credit and insurance, noting that women in the northwest and northeast are particularly disadvantaged.
The Vice President emphasised the critical role of the private sector and development partners in bridging these gaps, warning that the country’s economic goals would remain elusive without their active participation. “While we have made progress, troubling gaps demand urgent attention,” he said.
Shettima expressed optimism about the roundtable’s potential to foster meaningful dialogue and ensure every Nigerian is integrated into the financial system. He urged development partners to collaborate closely with the government, stating, “None of us can achieve this alone.”
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and highlighted the importance of including rural communities in development plans. Ministers Idi Maiha (Livestock Development) and Yusuf Sununu (State for Humanitarian Affairs) also outlined strategies for integrating marginalised groups into financial inclusion programs.
Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser on Economic and Financial Inclusion, described the gathering as pivotal, uniting stakeholders to create equitable economic systems. The roundtable concluded with a commitment to collaborative efforts for implementing initiatives such as the Aso Accord on Financial Inclusion.