In a significant push towards greater financial inclusion, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has joined forces with key stakeholders to advocate for improved access to financial services for people with disabilities (PWDs). This urgent call was made during a recent workshop organized by the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) in collaboration with Consumers International, OBSERVERSTIMES Report.
The workshop, titled “Digital Financial Literacy for PWDs,” focused on innovative strategies to bolster financial inclusion for this underserved community.
Adeniyi Bunmi, Senior Manager of the Development Finance Office at the CBN, underscored the critical need for enhanced collaboration between disability advocacy groups and financial institutions. “Financial services should be accessible to everyone. However, PWDs continue to face considerable barriers to inclusion. While we have made strides since 2012, we must intensify our efforts to achieve our goal of 95 percent financial inclusion,” Bunmi stated. “PWDs are a priority segment, and we need to act swiftly to tackle their unique challenges.”
The workshop also saw participation from major financial institutions, including Zenith Bank. Chinonso Umeh, representing the Head of Retail Services at the bank, reaffirmed their dedication to supporting PWDs. “At Zenith Bank, we prioritize our commitment to people, technology, and service. We are eager to collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance the financial experience for PWDs and ensure their full inclusion,” Umeh remarked.
Additionally, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) emphasized the necessity for increased collaboration between the public and private sectors to dismantle the financial barriers that PWDs encounter. General Manager Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, represented by the Head of the Legal Department, Mr. Safiu Babatunde, called for the development of tailored financial products and more accessible services. “The banking sector must be more responsive to the needs of PWDs,” Oyetunde-Lawal urged.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director of CADEF, highlighted the pressing need for inclusivity within the financial sector. Drawing from her personal experiences of witnessing the challenges faced by PWDs in accessing banking services, she expressed her unwavering commitment to driving solutions that promote financial equity.
As the discourse on financial inclusion continues, the collective efforts of the CBN, financial institutions, and advocacy groups are pivotal in ensuring that PWDs are no longer sidelined but fully integrated into the financial ecosystem.