Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to economic reforms aimed at fostering inclusive growth and bridging financial gaps nationwide.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) as part of the federal government’s broader vision to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The event also featured the signing of an investment agreement by private sector stakeholders to provide essential infrastructure for the Aso Accord initiative, a core pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at transforming Nigeria’s economy.
In his address, Vice President Shettima emphasized that Nigeria’s economic aspirations require more than just optimism.
“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.
Shettima highlighted the progress made since the launch of the Financial Inclusion Strategy in 2012, noting an improvement in inclusion rates from 60.3% to 74% as of 2023. However, he stressed that millions of Nigerians remain locked out of the financial system.
“We welcome this investment as an opportunity to catalyze growth for our startups and MSMEs, create jobs, and propel Nigeria towards the $1 trillion economy target by 2030. This is not merely another government initiative. This is a higher calling—a national duty to bridge the economic divide and maximize the full potential of our people,” he added.
The Vice President assured that the Tinubu administration remains resolute in mitigating the short-term effects of economic reforms and expanding financial opportunities for all Nigerians, regardless of geography or status.
Senator Shettima further acknowledged that youth, women, MSMEs, and rural populations continue to face systemic barriers limiting their economic potential. The newly inaugurated Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion will operate through a Governance Committee (GovCo) and a Technical Committee (TechCo), supported by an Implementation Secretariat, to ensure a structured and adaptable approach to economic challenges.
Meanwhile, IQS Africa is leading a consortium of investors committed to providing the foundational infrastructure for the Aso Accord initiative.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, noted that the composition of the committee—bringing together sub-national representatives, key ministries, federal agencies, and private sector leaders—underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s trillion-dollar economy vision.
Other stakeholders, including the Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, and state governors from Enugu and Kaduna, emphasized the importance of financial inclusion in driving economic growth, especially for vulnerable populations.
The event also featured remarks from the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, all pledging their support for the initiative and its role in Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The inauguration was attended by heads of government agencies, private sector representatives, development partners, and civil society organizations.
