Abuja, Nigeria — The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Nigerians by closing financial access gaps, fostering innovation, and promoting their active involvement in economic policy development.
CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, made this pledge during a youth engagement workshop themed “The Youths are Here”, held in Abuja on Friday. Represented by the Deputy Governor of Economic Policy, Muhammad Dani Abdullahi, Cardoso highlighted the bank’s dedication to creating a more inclusive and sustainable economic environment for young people.
“The CBN is committed to forging strategic partnerships that will empower young people and underserved communities,” Cardoso stated. He emphasized the need for collaboration between civil society, international organizations, and the private sector to amplify youth-led initiatives, create jobs, and drive innovation for national development.
Beyond financial inclusion, the bank underscored the importance of integrating young voices into governance processes. Cardoso noted that policies must reflect the aspirations and lived realities of Nigerian youth. To achieve this, the CBN aims to establish platforms that foster meaningful engagement between policymakers and the younger generation.
“We must align our efforts with urgency and purpose to build a Nigeria where the youth can dream boldly and innovate confidently,” he added.
The governor urged stakeholders to transform ideas into actionable outcomes with measurable goals. He emphasized that strong collaboration, accountability, and well-defined roles are essential for achieving meaningful youth empowerment.
In its effort to harness the potential of Nigeria’s rapidly growing youth population, the CBN is enhancing initiatives such as youth-friendly credit policies and capacity-building programs. These efforts are designed to equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to thrive, particularly in emerging sectors like the green economy and digital transformation.
“Advancing Sustainable Development Goals 65 through financial inclusion remains central to our mission,” Cardoso asserted.
The event also featured Yusuf Mohammed, representing the Country Director of the United Nations (UN), who reiterated the UN’s support for Nigerian youth. “To the young people, step forward, seek partnerships, innovate with compassion and integrity,” he encouraged.
Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, assured participants of his ministry’s readiness to design and implement youth-focused strategies for national development. He urged the CBN to establish a dedicated youth desk to oversee the formulation and execution of empowerment programs tailored for young Nigerians.
By Taiwo Olatinwo| February 1, 2025
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