The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has emphasized the urgent need to address the shortage of skilled professionals in finance-related disciplines across Nigerian universities. Cardoso made the call during a strategic meeting with the President of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, and representatives from the Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA) at the CBN headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement released by the CBN on Sunday, Cardoso reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the financial and social sciences sectors. He highlighted the critical importance of empowering young professionals with the necessary skills to strengthen Nigeria’s financial sector.
“Addressing the shortage of skilled professionals in finance-related fields is essential to building a competitive and robust financial sector,” said Cardoso. He emphasized the need for a strong pipeline of talent to support Nigeria’s Financial System Strategy, a key driver of the country’s economic growth.
Cardoso advocated for mentorship programs that would see the CBN collaborate with NES and NESA to provide students with practical knowledge and exposure to the financial industry. He also stressed the importance of simplifying economic concepts to enhance public understanding of monetary policies.
“Effective communication is crucial for helping the public understand monetary policy,” Cardoso said. “Young economists have an important role to play in demystifying complex economic topics and giving them a fresh perspective.”
In response, Prof. Adenikinju expressed the NES’s desire for deeper collaboration with the CBN, especially in areas such as research support, internships, and workshops. He also called for better use of social media to communicate economic policies more effectively.
Cardoso concluded by reaffirming the CBN’s commitment to working with NES and NESA, adding that the partnership would promote innovation, diversity, and greater female representation within the financial sector.
