Nigeria’s Finance Minister calls on financial institutions to empower young entrepreneurs and strengthen the nation’s economy through inclusive banking and innovation.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has called on Nigerian banks to invest in the ideas of young entrepreneurs to promote innovation and reduce dependence on foreign financial systems.
Speaking during the 2025 Investiture Ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, Edun said empowering youth through access to finance is crucial to achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda.
He emphasized that the nation’s banking sector must evolve beyond traditional practices to embrace inclusivity and technology-driven growth.
“We must ensure that young Nigerians have the opportunity to bring their ideas to life within our economy rather than looking outside to foreign ecosystems,” Edun said.
The minister commended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso for stabilizing the financial system through prudent monetary policies, noting that such measures were essential for economic recovery.
Also speaking at the event, Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), said the demand for foreign exchange had dropped significantly, thanks to recent CBN policies.
Technology entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andela and Future Africa, urged bankers to embrace “Engage Capital,” a model of financing that supports real economic impact.
The event also featured remarks from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who urged the banking sector to finance agriculture and food production to curb inflation and boost local output.
Post a Comment