The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has emphasized the urgent need to tackle the shortage of skilled professionals in finance-related fields within Nigerian universities.
In a statement released by the CBN on Sunday, Cardoso made this call during a strategic meeting held at the CBN headquarters in Abuja, according to The Punch.
The meeting included discussions with the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, and representatives from the Nigerian Economics Students Association.
Cardoso’s remarks highlight the importance of enhancing educational programs to better prepare students for careers in finance and economics, aiming to strengthen the sector and support Nigeria’s economic growth.
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 has also emphasised the necessity of addressing the scarcity of skilled professionals in finance-related fields in Nigerian universities.”
Cardoso underscored the importance of creating opportunities for youth development, asserting that empowering young professionals with relevant skills is vital for fostering a competitive financial sector.
He emphasized the necessity of establishing a strong pipeline of talent to support the Financial System Strategy, which is essential for driving 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 emphasized the need to simplify economic concepts, stating that effective communication is essential for helping the public grasp monetary policies.
The statement noted, “Following presentations by members of NES and NESA on research topics, recommendations, and ongoing activities that could assist the CBN in achieving its mandate, Cardoso emphasised the need for organising mentorship collaboration with NES and NESA to enable both associations to achieve their set objectives.
“Furthermore, the governor noted the importance of communication, stating the need to simplify dense and heavy economic concepts, which had always been challenging when communicating monetary policy. He noted the place of the young economists in demystifying the subject and giving it a better perspective.”
The governor reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) and the Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA), stating that this partnership aims to promote innovation, diversity, and increased female representation in the financial sector.
Meanwhile, Adenikinju emphasized the society’s eagerness for deeper collaboration with the CBN, identifying research support, internships, and workshops as critical areas for partnership.
He also urged for improved use of social media to effectively communicate economic policies to the public.
