The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding financial inclusion in Nigeria through digital identity and pro-growth regulation.
This commitment was underscored by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, at Semafor’s Next 3 Billion Tour held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The convening, produced by Semafor in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, brought together policymakers, business leaders, innovators, and civil society to translate global research on inclusion and connectivity into country-level action.
The Abuja stop follows Semafor’s New York summit on the sidelines of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly and precedes additional tour events across Africa and the Middle East.
Speaking on a panel moderated by Semafor’s Yinka Adegoke, Dr. Uzoka-Anite highlighted the progress driven by reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including trusted digital identity systems, agent banking, and the rise of mobile money platforms. Trust is the foundation of inclusion.
With NIN and BVN strengthening identity verification, more Nigerians can be safely onboarded into the financial system, Dr. Uzoka-Anite said.
She added that Mobile-first solutions and nationwide agent networks are lowering the barriers to access. People can transact, save, and receive payments in their communities without heavy brick-and-mortar infrastructure.
The Minister noted that platforms such as Moniepoint, OPAY, and PalmPay, alongside bank-led wallets and agency services, are accelerating daily-use cases from payments to remittances for households and small businesses.
She added further that consumer credit reforms are being designed to help Nigerians not only spend but also earn and build assets over time.
“When people can save securely within the financial system instead of keeping cash at home that is vulnerable to theft, fire, or flooding, they protect their income capital and strengthen long-term stability,” she said.
“Our focus is practical and people-centered. Expand connectivity, improve affordability, raise digital literacy, and keep regulation smart so innovation can scale responsibly”.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria and ecosystem partners for improving settlement infrastructure and supporting the growth of agent banking nationwide. She acknowledged remaining gaps around power, connectivity, and skills.
The Minister expressed her commitment to continued collaboration with relevant ministries, regulators, states, and the private sector to close them. Change can feel gradual, but days like today show the distance we have covered.
She added. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we will keep linking policy to the tools people actually use on their phones every day to work, trade, and save.
The Minister thanked Semafor, the Gates Foundation, and all participants for advancing a solutions-focused dialogue. The Next 3 Billion Tour is spotlighting insights from the Global Findex 2025 report and the Global Digital Connectivity Tracker to inform inclusive growth strategies in key markets. With the government’s renewed focus on digital identity, fintech innovation, and pro-growth regulation, Nigeria is poised to accelerate financial inclusion, driving economic growth and development for all citizens.
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