Skilled Graduates Required to Boost Nigeria’s Financial Sector
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has highlighted the need to address the shortage of skilled professionals in finance-related disciplines across Nigerian universities.
According to a press statement by the CBN on Sunday, Cardoso made this call during a strategic meeting with the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, Professor Adeola Adenikinju, and other officials, including representatives from the Nigerian Economics Students Association, at the CBN headquarters in Abuja.
The statement read, “The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has reiterated the Bank’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in the financial and social sciences sectors.”
He also emphasised the need to tackle the scarcity of skilled professionals in finance-related fields within Nigerian universities.
Cardoso stressed the importance of creating opportunities for youth development, stating that empowering young professionals with relevant skills is essential for building a competitive financial sector.
He highlighted the need for a strong pipeline of talent to drive the Financial System Strategy, which is crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth.
He further advocated for mentorship programmes between the CBN, NES, and NESA, emphasising that collaboration would equip students with the knowledge needed to excel in the sector.
Cardoso also underscored the importance of simplifying economic concepts, noting that effective communication is key to helping the public understand monetary policies.
The statement added, “Following presentations by members of NES and NESA on research topics, recommendations, and ongoing activities that could assist the CBN in achieving its mandate, Governor Cardoso stressed the need to organise mentorship collaboration with NES and NESA to enable both associations to achieve their objectives.”
Furthermore, the Governor noted the importance of communication, stating the need to simplify dense economic concepts, which had always been a challenge in communicating monetary policy. He stressed the role young economists could play in demystifying the subject and providing clearer perspectives.
The Governor reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to working with NES and NESA, adding that the collaboration would promote innovation, diversity, and greater female representation in the sector.
Professor Adenikinju expressed the society’s desire for deeper collaboration with the CBN, citing areas such as research support, internships, and workshops as critical.
He also called for better use of social media to communicate economic policies more effectively.
