VP Shettima inaugurates presidential committee to bridge financial gaps, drive trillion-dollar economy

By Kunle Sanni

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to economic reforms aimed at fostering inclusive growth and bridging financial gaps nationwide.

Speaking at the State House Banquet Hall on Monday, Shettima inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) as part of the federal government’s strategy to achieve a trillion-dollar economy by 2030. The event also featured the signing of an investment pact by private sector stakeholders to provide foundational infrastructure for implementing the Aso Accord Initiative, a key pillar of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Shettima stressed that realizing Nigeria’s economic goals requires more than optimism, urging stakeholders to support government efforts in expanding financial inclusion.

“Our road to a $1 trillion economy by 2030 shall remain a mere wish unless we lay a foundation strong enough to carry our dreams. Dreams are not built on hope alone. They are the sum of deliberate ideas and strategies, inspired by our desire to win,” he said.

While noting progress since the launch of the Financial Inclusion Strategy in 2012—with inclusion rates rising from 60.3% to 74% by 2023—he lamented that millions of Nigerians remain excluded from the financial system.

The Vice President described the new initiative as a “national duty to bridge the economic divide and unlock the full potential of our people.” He emphasized that the committee’s work would ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location or status, is integrated into the nation’s economic growth story.

The newly inaugurated committee will operate through a Governance Committee (GovCo) and a Technical Committee (TechCo), supported by an Implementation Secretariat, ensuring a flexible and effective approach to financial and economic inclusion.

The event also marked a major milestone in public-private collaboration, with IQS Africa leading a consortium of investors committed to providing critical infrastructure for the Aso Accord’s execution.

Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, noted that the committee’s diverse membership—including representatives from state governments, federal ministries, and the private sector—demonstrates President Tinubu’s dedication to achieving his trillion-dollar economic vision.

Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, described the inauguration as a significant step toward inclusive growth and economic transformation, stressing that collaboration is key to achieving set objectives.

Governors, Ministers, and Security Chiefs Pledge Support

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, and Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, praised the initiative, highlighting its potential to boost internally generated revenue and address regional disparities, particularly in northern Nigeria, where digital infrastructure remains inadequate.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, assured that his ministry would spearhead the implementation of the Aso Accord’s vision through actionable reforms. Similarly, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, pledged support for financial inclusion initiatives, particularly for vulnerable populations.

National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, emphasized the strategic importance of financial inclusion in unlocking “dead capital” and fostering national stability. He assured full backing from Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies for the initiative.

President/CEO of IQS Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Itapson, hailed the Renewed Hope Agenda as a “bold move to redefine opportunity and possibilities” for Nigeria.

He emphasized that no nation has achieved significant economic progress without visionary leadership that mobilizes both the public and private sectors toward national development.

With the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) and the signing of key investment agreements, stakeholders expressed optimism that Nigeria is on a clear path toward financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth.