Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted the potential for a transformative economic turnaround through enhanced collaboration with experts in the Banking and Finance industry.
As the special guest of honor, he made these remarks today in Abuja during the commencement of the 16th Annual Banking and Finance Conference, which was themed ‘Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Empowerment: The Role of The Financial Services Industry.’
The vice president whose remarks was titled ‘Our Priorities in a Post-Pandemic World’, noted that “we must now do what pessimists may regard as impossible: turning the economy around in record time. We seek your partnership in getting this done. We cannot take your support for granted.”
Continuing he said, “this journey towards economic rejuvenation is not one to be undertaken in isolation. It is a call to forge robust partnerships with strategic nations and multilateral organisations, for in unity, Nigeria can reposition itself as a formidable, globally competitive partner.”
Addressing the role of the banking and finance sector in this economic rejuvenation, Mr. Shettima called on the stakeholders to “join us in serving the nation. We have promised to reposition consumer finance, and that can’t be done without you.
“We have promised to incentivise and finance value-addition to our agricultural and other products, and you are our ally in this. We need you because Nigeria teeters on the edge of a precarious balance of payments as we import more than we export.”
“The future is already here, and this industry is a springboard for the success of our reforms and programmes. Whether in incorporating blockchain technology or expanding financial inclusion to deliver dividends of democracy to banking and unbanked citizens, Nigeria is here to occupy the high-table in a fast-changing world,” the vice president added.