Lagos State government has said it has partnered with three financial institutions to boost financial inclusion among women traders including providing loans to them to expand their businesses.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State governor on Sustainable Development Goals Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih- Awokoya, who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos, said it is part of the responsibility of her office to promote human capital development through advocacy programmes.

Finnih- Awokoya flanked by the representatives of the financial institutions partnering the government on the project, said that the programme is part of the overall mandate of her office to eliminate financial exclusion in the state.

She said that to be enlisted for the programme, would-be beneficiary women traders must have National Identification Number (NIN) and Lagos State Resident Registration Agency (LASRRA).

“Collaboration is evidently the major approach to private partnership, and this is why the SDG approached these relevant institutions. Nevertheless we extend an invitation to all institutions to join us in this meritorious human capital development generally.

“Human capital development matters reflect the strength and growth of the society, but it was meant to implement the growth of the society. It is going to be two sums, these two sums are a success factor for the sustainable development growth. We can accomplish an equitable Lagos  where every human thrive irrespective of their circumstances.”

In his remark, the representative of OPAY financial institution, Mr. Adedotun Adekunle said the essence of the programme is to get a lot of people into the financial ecosystem.

He said it is the nexus of what they are doing as a corporate financial organisation to get as many men and women into the financial ecosystem, to get them educated and empower to do business and so they can earn a living.

The representative of Cowry Wise, another financial institution, Mr. Oyeyinka Oyekan said core objective of Cowrie wise since its establishment in 2017 was to make savings and investment accessible to all Africans, regardless of their social economic background.

He said: “We are eager to partner with the office of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) to inculcate financial integrity into indigent saturated areas of Lagos State through the human capital development initiative. We believe that financial integrity is not a privilege but a fundamental human right.

He noted that by fostering financial literacy they  aimed to reduce barriers in economic participation and enable long term participation for individuals and their families, particularly underserved communities, because  they need to take control of their financial future.