Governor Sani Signs Executive Order On Financial Inclusion In Kaduna

As part of efforts to cushion the negative impact of petrol subsidy removal on the citizens, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has signed an Executive Order on financial inclusion for one million poor and vulnerable persons across the state.

Speaking during the signing of the executive order in his office, Governor Sani explained that the aim is pursuant to the state government’s efforts to address the exclusion of about 2.1 million poor, underserved and vulnerable citizens in the rural areas from financial services, and to ensure they benefit from the state and Federal Government’s Social Intervention Programmes.

The governor disclosed that a committee comprising government officials, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and financial technology companies will develop a state financial strategy to drive the social intervention programme.

According to him, about one million poor and unbanked citizens are expected to be included in the financial services sector in the next year, while the state government will consult with key stakeholders including traditional rulers, religious leaders and local government chairmen to ensure mass sensitisation and involvement of the citizens in the financial inclusion drive.

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While lamenting that over 75 per cent of people in the North-West zone were financially excluded and unbanked, the governor lamented that the majority of such people were deprived of the opportunity to benefit from the various social intervention programmes during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari due to lack of financial inclusion.