The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched a nationwide initiative to train 10 million Nigerians in financial literacy and inclusion. The project was finalized in Abuja on Monday, February 2, 2026, through a Memorandum of Understanding with six of the nation’s most prestigious professional bodies to ensure the curriculum meets international standards for digital and financial competence at the Presidential Villa.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima flagged off the free training program, describing it as a “strategic national investment in human infrastructure.” The initiative is a core component of the Aso Accord on Economic and Financial Inclusion, aimed at bridging the gap for millions of unbanked citizens.
The collaboration brings together the expertise of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and four other specialist institutes covering stockbroking, credit administration, risk management, and innovation. By leveraging these institutions, the federal government intends to move beyond simply providing citizens with bank accounts, focusing instead on building the “human infrastructure” necessary for individuals to navigate the complexities of a modern digital economy.
The program, overseen by the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), targets women, youth, and MSMEs across all 36 states, with a focus on those who have traditionally been excluded from formal financial systems. The program is designed to equip participants with practical skills in investment, risk assessment, and digital entrepreneurship.
“Financial inclusion is not achieved by access alone, but by competence, trust, and capability,” Vice President Shettima stated during the ceremony. “We cannot build a one-trillion-dollar economy on weak skills or disconnected professional ecosystems.”
The massive capacity-building drive is designed to complement existing economic reforms by ensuring that financial infrastructure, such as a capable and informed workforce, matches the recent fintech boom. By empowering 10 million individuals, the government aims to reduce poverty and accelerate Nigeria’s transition toward its $1 trillion economy target by 2030.
