Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on development partners and stakeholders to address systemic inequalities and foster a more inclusive financial system to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.
He emphasised that achieving the nation’s vision of a $1 trillion economy by 2030 depends on creating equitable access to financial services for all Nigerians, regardless of gender or geography.
In a statement today, Shettima’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha said the Vice president made the call at the Development Partners Roundtable on Economic and Financial Inclusion at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shettima who was represented by Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Aliyu Umar, highlighted key challenges hindering financial inclusion.
He noted that only 23 per cent of women in Nigeria have access to digital financial services, compared to 43 per cent of men, with socio-economic barriers such as low incomes, limited education, and restricted access to financial tools exacerbating the disparity, particularly in the northwest and northeast regions.

“We have come this far by continually assessing the extent of economic and financial inclusion in Nigeria. However, these assessments reveal disturbing gaps that demand urgent attention.
“Our task is clear: to bridge these systemic inequalities and foster an inclusive, equitable financial system that benefits all Nigerians,” Shettima said.
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He expressed optimism that the roundtable would foster meaningful discussions and align efforts toward crafting sustainable solutions.
Shettima also announced the inauguration of a Presidential Committee for the Implementation of the Aso Accord, which he will chair.
The committee, consisting of signatories to the Accord and supported by a secretariat within the office of the Vice President, will report quarterly to the National Economic Council (NEC) to ensure the the effective implementation of its framework and goals.
He further emphasised the need for collaboration, stating, “Whatever we do as a government cannot materialize fully unless we work together with development partners, the private sector, and all stakeholders committed to progress.”
The Vice President urged stakeholders to support the committee with technical expertise and assistance in accelerating specific initiatives under the Aso Accord.
In the same vein, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, noting that the nation was on the right track in its economic reforms.
He called for the inclusion of rural communities in financial initiatives to ensure inclusive development.
Also , Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, and Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, highlighted the importance of integrating farmers, petty traders, and vulnerable populations into financial inclusion programmes.
Sununu pledged accountability and transparency in implementing social intervention programs such as the Conditional Cash Transfer and School Feeding initiatives.
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Furthermore, the Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Nurudeen Zauro, described the roundtable as a defining moment for the government’s financial inclusion strategy.
“The Aso Accord serves as a blueprint for action, unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and enhancing socio-economic growth,” he said.
Additionally, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, lauded Nigeria’s financial reforms as feasible and encouraged increased support for women and MSMEs to further enhance inclusion.