Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has outlined plans to improve financial inclusion and lift millions of citizens out of poverty, aiming to open three million new bank accounts by the end of 2025.

Speaking at the Kaduna Economic and Financial Inclusion Summit (KEFIS 2025), with the theme “Expanding Financial Access for Sustainable Development,” Governor Sani emphasized the importance of financial inclusion in helping individuals and communities escape poverty.

“True financial inclusion is about granting individuals and communities the means to participate meaningfully in the economy, break the cycle of poverty, and elevate their quality of life,” he said to the summit’s attendees, which included representatives of the Vice President and development partners.

Sani reported that over 2.5 million new accounts have already been opened in the state, and nearly seven million residents have registered for National Identification Numbers (NIN), a key step toward enhancing financial access. He further pointed out that rural communities, which represent about 70 to 75 percent of the unbanked population, are at the core of the state’s financial inclusion strategy.

The governor revealed that in 2023, approximately 3.5 million people in Kaduna were excluded from the financial system, which he noted hindered economic growth and left many vulnerable groups without access to financial services.

He shared insights from his time as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions, where he sponsored the Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020. This legislation, he said, helped bring fintech companies under Central Bank regulation, expanding access to digital financial services in previously underserved areas.

Sani’s administration has further institutionalized financial inclusion through the Kaduna State Financial Inclusion Executive Order, which led to the establishment of a state committee and various targeted interventions. He highlighted that over N18 billion has been funneled into accounts through direct cash transfers and the distribution of inputs by agencies such as the Kaduna State Social Investment Programmes Agency (KADSIPA), the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA), and the Planning and Budget Commission.

The governor also noted the success of the policy, which resulted in a 19% increase in financially served adults, growing from 45% in 2022 to 64% in 2024. This growth, he added, has contributed to the rise in the number of banked individuals and those accessing formal financial services. He credited this shift with supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which play a crucial role in creating jobs and boosting the state’s economy. “We are fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem where MSMEs can grow, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the economy of Kaduna State,” Sani said.

Governor Sani further explained that access to financial services and credit has already contributed to reducing poverty and income inequality in the state. He emphasized that financial inclusion also helps address some of the root causes of insecurity, such as unemployment and inequality.

In his speech, the governor highlighted the critical role played by partnerships with banks like UBA, Jaiz, Zenith, and Fidelity, as well as fintech companies such as Moniepoint, Momo, TeasyPay, and E-Tranzact.
He also acknowledged the support of global development partners, including the Gates Foundation, which has assisted with streamlining NIN enrollment and advancing digital payment systems.

Governor Sani noted that, in recognition of the state’s progress, Kaduna has been selected as a pilot state for a national financial inclusion initiative by the Office of the Vice President. As part of this initiative, the state will allocate 5,000 hectares for an in-grower scheme aimed at supporting rural farmers through input assistance and product-based repayments.

Sani further revealed that he has been appointed to the Governing Board of the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), where he will represent Northern Nigeria, further solidifying Kaduna’s role in the national financial empowerment movement.