Business

Intervention Funds: Bank Customers, NANTS, Others Seek MFBs’ Involvement

Published

2 years ago

January 29, 2024

Miffed by the recent alleged abuses in the disbursement of poverty alleviation funds by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, some leading banking and development experts have called on the Federal Government to begin to use of Microfinance Banks (MFBs) in the disbursement of such funds in order to achieve the objectives of the poverty alleviation programmes.

Reacting to the reported public finance abuses in the Ministry and its implications for the poverty alleviation drive of the government, a seasoned banker and National Chairman of Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN), Dr. Uju Ogubunka, told journalists while sharing his views on the need to involve MFBs in the social intervention funds’ disbursement that “there shouldn’t be any doubt that MFBs will best serve the purpose of disbursing the funds to the poor in the country.

Ogubunka, a former Registrar of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), justified his stance based on the ‘Micro Finance Policy, Regulatory and Supervisory Framework for Nigeria’ issued by the CBN in 2005, stressing “that MFBs stand shoulder higher among all the other types of banks/other financial institutions to be given the opportunity to handle financial services/affairs of poor people especially, at the rural areas of the country.”

Similarly, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS, Dr. Ken Ukaoha, said the saga demonstrated the existence of deep-rooted corruption in the public service that should be frontally tackled by the present administration in order to alleviate the prevalent multidimensional poverty in the country.

Specifically, Ukaoha, who is also a legal expert and smallholder farmers’ capacity building proponent, pointed out that channeling social intervention funds through the MFBs will ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursements “as these MFBs are guided by monetary principles in all areas of their operations. More so, accessibility of the funds at the local level where small-scale farmers predominantly operate will be more guaranteed.

“So, I think that government should get the MFBs involved in getting these funds to the beneficiaries to achieve the goals of the programmes. This will also support these grassroots-oriented micro lenders to grow in this very challenging time in the economy”, Ukaoha stressed.

In his remarks, Director-General/CEO, Association of Nigerian Exporters (ANE), Prince Joseph Idiong,harped on the need for the use of MFBs as preferred final channel for disbursement of poverty alleviation funds, saying that this is desirable “when considering their reach to most local areas, though there are still some Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country that do not have MFBs or Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).”

Specifically, he advocated: “To use MFBs as channel for disbursement of poverty alleviation funds, I prefer the use of MFBs that have strong capitalization, national or regional spread. State Government- owned MFBs could also be used as State Governments can be held responsible.”

Commenting, a former National Chairman of Association of Small-Scale Agro-Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), Hajia Amina Jubrin, said: “The MFBs are best positioned to efficiently disburse these funds in order to achieve the objectives.”

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Business

FG, Investonaire Academy Unveil National Programme to Equip 100,000 Youths with Financial Skills, Digital Wealth Tools

Published

5 days ago

November 25, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, in collaboration with Investonaire Academy, has unveiled a nationwide financial literacy and wealth-building programme targeting more than 100,000 young Nigerians. The initiative is designed to equip participants with practical skills in budgeting, saving, investing, asset building, and long-term financial planning, positioning them for sustainable prosperity in a rapidly evolving economy.

Launched on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described financial literacy as a necessary survival tool for young people confronting today’s economic realities.

He noted that the initiative represents the foundation of a broader vision expected to extend beyond Nigeria to other African nations and global markets.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 corps members annually, the Minister said the programme will provide platforms, resources, and skills needed for both job creation and employability.

“The young people who understand money — how to save, invest, build assets, and manage risk — are the ones who will lead Nigeria into prosperity,” he said.

A major highlight of the launch was the expansion of the Nigeria Youth Academy, a digital platform offering mentorship, training, and startup support. According to the Minister, more than 200 startups will receive empowerment through the Academy’s e-app platform before the end of the year.

He stressed the need for deeper collaboration with private organisations, innovators, and youth-focused groups, noting that government alone cannot drive youth development. He further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition, innovation, and digital enterprise, saying these remain critical to reducing the desire for migration and increasing self-reliance.

Outlining the Ministry’s long-term commitments, Olawande emphasized three priorities: supporting youth innovation, equipping them with growth tools, and safeguarding millions of Nigerian youths under the Ministry’s mandate.

Speaking at the launch, Sebastien Sicre, Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, said the programme was crafted to revolutionize the way Nigerian youths learn and apply financial knowledge. He highlighted the Academy’s gamified Learning Management System (LMS), which offers interactive learning tools, community forums, and real-time mentorship to make financial education engaging and accessible.

Complementing the digital platform is a new 200-square-metre physical training centre in Abuja, opposite the NNPC Towers, where in-person workshops and mentorship sessions will take place.

The curriculum covers key global asset classes — including equities, commodities, forex, and indices — ensuring participants gain a broad understanding of financial markets.

Sicre added that with Federal Government backing, the programme seeks to unlock new opportunities, strengthen youth participation in the digital economy, and reward outstanding participants through a $1 million funding pool to support new and existing ventures.

International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, Dr. Enefola Odiba, explained that the initiative aims to bridge long-standing gaps in financial education among Nigerian youths. While schools teach many subjects, he said, essential financial skills are often missing.

“Many people can earn money — earning money can be easy. The real challenge is retaining, managing, and growing that money,” he noted.
Referencing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s definition of financial literacy, Odiba stated that implementation remains a major national challenge. He said the initiative brings together government agencies, youth groups, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to translate strategy into measurable impact.

The programme’s curriculum covers budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning — areas where many young people struggle. By offering practical training, real-world insights, and guided mentorship, the initiative aims to build a generation of financially empowered youth capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.

With this partnership, the Federal Government and Investonaire Academy share a common goal: to empower young Nigerians with the financial intelligence and digital tools needed to build wealth, grow businesses, and transform the nation’s economic future.

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