Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has emphasized the need to address the shortage of skilled professionals in finance-related disciplines across Nigerian universities. Speaking during a meeting with the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) and Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA) in Abuja, Cardoso stressed the importance of fostering youth development in the financial sector. He pointed out that building a strong pipeline of young professionals with relevant skills is critical to sustaining Nigeria’s economic growth and financial system strategy.
Cardoso also advocated for closer collaboration between the CBN, NES, and NESA to provide mentorship opportunities that would equip students with essential skills. He believes such partnerships will help develop future leaders in the financial and social sciences, bridging the skills gap in Nigeria’s universities. Cardoso highlighted that nurturing this talent is essential to create a competitive financial sector that contributes meaningfully to the country’s development.
In addition, the governor stressed the need for simplifying complex economic concepts to improve public understanding of monetary policies. He emphasized the role of young economists in making economic ideas more accessible and improving communication. Both Cardoso and NES President, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, expressed a commitment to deeper collaboration, with Adenikinju calling for better use of social media to communicate economic policies and promote research, internships, and workshops in the sector.
