Nigeria apex financial institution, The Central Bank of Nigeria – (CBN), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – (BMGF), are set to partner on financial inclusion.
Following the recent strategic meetings between CBN management and BMGF, CBN’s Acting Governor, Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, revealed the commitment of the apex bank to continually partner with BMGF and other developmental bodies to explore innovative solutions for driving access to finance.
Shonubi, who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS), Mrs. Aisha Ahmad, disclosed that though much progress had been made in various aspects of financial inclusion, some challenges remained in attaining the desired level of financial inclusion in Nigeria.
He called for greater partnership between the Bank and the BMGF.
In his remarks, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, said the foundation would continue to engage with Nigeria on health, agriculture and financial services.
Gates expressed satisfaction that support from his organization was catalyzing developmental action in Nigeria.
However, he noted that there were still challenges and gaps while expressing optimism that the country would witness better outcomes given the new economic and monetary policies currently in place in Nigeria.