CBN Said, 33.9 million Nigerians lack financial access.

With 52% of adult Nigerians holding official bank accounts, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has seen progress in the financial inclusion rate.

Nevertheless, 32% of people are still not able to access the official financial system.

During the 2024 World Savings Day Financial Literacy Fair in Abuja, the CBN revealed the country’s financial inclusion landscape’s achievements and obstacles.

52 percent, or 54.2 million adult Nigerians, had bank accounts in 2023, according to Ibrahim Yahaya, Acting Head of the CBN’s Consumer Protection Department. However, an estimated 32 percent, or 33.9 million people, were completely shut out of the financial system.

According to Yahaya’s additional analysis of the data, 5% more adults are classified as having “other formal” financial inclusion.

financial inclusion category, whilst 11% are part of the financial system unofficially.

Yahaya emphasized the importance of fostering a saving culture in all age groups, but especially in young people.

“If you look at it from the deposit side, savings have improved significantly over time,” Yahaya said. Even while bank deposits have been rising, there are still some things that can deter people from saving. The belief that income is never sufficient to cover urgent demands is ingrained, which hinders one’s capacity to save money, he said.

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“This day’s primary goal is to raise awareness of the value of saving money,” Yahaya said. “We want to make sure that young people develop a saving culture so they may grow up with sound financial habits. Motivating By encouraging this behavior in their kids, parents can help prepare for future situations.

Making saving a habit, even in modest quantities, is essential to being ready for life’s unforeseen events, according to Yahaya. He went on to say that “life is full of journeys and having savings provides a safety net for any issues that may arise.” In the event of certain situations, having a backup plan is crucial.

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The CBN official also connected saving to more general economic advantages, pointing out that savings increase bank deposits, which support lending to the real sector, which is a major engine of economic expansion. “The banks utilize our money to make loans, particularly to the actual industry, which propels economic expansion,” Yahaya stated.

He urged Nigerians, especially the younger generation, to develop the practice of saving money regardless of the state of the economy. He said, “You might never start saving if you wait until you have plenty.” “However, you will reap the rewards later if you make it a habit to put aside money, even in tiny amounts.”

Yahaya addressed the difficulties inflation presents for saving, stating that although inflation is especially challenging right now, preserving a saving culture can act as a buffer. There has been inflation, and I am aware that things are harder now. The impact will be lessened, he continued, if saving is ingrained in one’s mindset.