Government trains nomads in digital financial transactions
In a bid to promote financial inclusion and digital literacy among Fulani youths, a three-day training workshop was recently organised in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The event was put together by a sociocultural group, the Bandiraku Fulbe Youth Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with a private firm, the Bizi Pay Mobile.
The training workshop, which drew 350 participants from the different Fulani settlements across the 27 local government areas in the state, focused on digital financial transactions.
The workshop is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of Fulani youths in Jigawa State, empowering them with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the digital economy.
Participants of the workshop were trained in technical aspects of digital banking, including BVN, account opening, mobile transfer, withdrawal, and other mobile financial transactions.
Speaking while inaugurating the event held on Wednesday at Manpower Development Institute, Dutse, Jigawa State, Governor Umar Namadi commended the organisers for their foresight in empowering the youth.
Namadi who also stressed the importance of equipping the younger generation with ICT education and digital business skills to enable them to thrive in today’s competitive economy, maintained,
“This is a remarkable initiative, and I assure you that my administration will provide all the support needed.”
He added that “The state’s agency for employment and youth empowerment will step in to support the group in line with our commitment to make Jigawa State a hub for the digital economy and innovation.”
While receiving an award at the event which recognises him as the first governor to introduce palliatives shops among his peers, the Chairman of Bizi Pay Mobile, Mr. Aminu Gumel, who is also a consultant with the Central Bank of Nigeria on financial inclusion policy, explained that the training program was designed to promote financial inclusion among Fulani youths.
“The training which serves as a train of the trainers will focus on training the participants on technical aspects of digital banking,” Gumel further noted.
In his remark, the Chairman of Bandiraku Fulbe Youth Association in Jigawa State, Comrade Isah Abubakar Birnin Kudu, said the association is committed to empowering Fulani youth through education and skills acquisition.
Birnin-Kudu stated that during the 3-day training period, the participants, who were drawn from each of the political wards in the state will receive training on various aspects of digital financing, mobile money operations, and digital business development as part of the efforts to ensure financial inclusion in the state.
In their separate remarks, some participants at the occasion shared their experiences.
Amina Babalado from Gwaram said, “I am extremely happy to be part of this training workshop.”
Aliyu Abdullahi, a participant from Roni Local Government Area said “As a Fulani youth, I have always struggled to access financial services and participate in the digital economy. But with the skills and knowledge I have gained from this training, I am confident that I will be able to improve my socio-economic well-being and contribute to the development of my community.”
Another participant Abubakar Suraju from Babura explained that “This training workshop is a game-changer for me and my fellow Fulani youths, as we’re expecting to learn so much about digital financial transactions and how to access financial services.
“I am excited to go back to my community and share my knowledge with others. I am also looking forward to starting my own digital business and improving my economic prospects.”
Arewa PUNCH reports that the workshop, which is the first of its kind for nomadic youths in Jigawa, was attended by stakeholders from the financial sector, government officials, and representatives of Fulani communities.
It was further observed that the ongoing training workshop on digital financial transactions for Fulani youths in Jigawa State is a significant milestone that bridges the gap in financial literacy and inclusion among this demographic.
Our correspondent noted that for a long time, the Fulani community in Jigawa State has lagged behind their Hausa counterparts in terms of access to financial services and digital literacy.
However, with this initiative, the state government and the Bandiraku Fulbe Youth Association have taken a giant stride towards addressing this disparity, empowering Fulani youths with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the digital economy and improve their socio-economic well-being.
