Abuja: Experts have called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, financial service providers, community leaders, and development partners to deepen financial inclusion in Northern Nigeria. They made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of a research report titled ‘Understanding Influence and Behaviour in Northern Nigeria’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the research was conducted by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano (BUK). The experts emphasized that achieving meaningful progress will require not only policy reforms but also behavioural change, improved trust in financial systems, and context-specific interventions that reflect local realities.
The Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Haruna Musa, stressed that research institutions and policy centres must take ownership of such studies and translate their findings into practical solutions for Nigerians. Represented by the Director of Academic Planning at the university, Prof. Yusuf Garba, Musa highlighted that the report focused largely on behavioural change within Northern Nigeria’s social structure, where a large proportion of the population was covered in the study. Understanding these behavioural patterns among residents is key to designing effective development policies.
Prof. Habu Fagge, Director of the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, pointed out that the research examined socio-economic behaviours affecting financial inclusion, particularly gender disparities. He emphasized that financial inclusion is a critical indicator of economic development, and bridging the gender gap in bank and fintech registration would strengthen grassroots development. The study, divided into three volumes, covered social norms and behaviours, access to and usage of financial services, and gender mapping across communities.
Findings from the study showed gradual improvement in financial inclusion across Northern states, although disparities persist due to cultural and social norms. In states such as Benue and Nasarawa, women show higher financial participation compared to Jigawa and Kebbi, where cultural limitations restrict women’s public engagement. Fagge highlighted that trust within communities is largely driven by interpersonal relationships rather than institutions, making traditional rulers, community leaders, and household heads key drivers of financial behaviour. Leveraging such social influencers could promote entrepreneurship, income generation, and increased bank account ownership.
The Principal Investigator of the research, Prof. Ismaila Zango, noted that the study provided baseline data needed by policymakers and programme implementers to design more impactful interventions. He pointed out that many government programmes fail due to inadequate understanding of community realities. The study also revealed low institutional trust, driven by weak transparency, unfulfilled promises, and poor accountability mechanisms. Zango emphasized the need for sustainable economic empowerment rather than short-term financial handouts to reduce poverty, advocating for a holistic and continuous approach to development interventions.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Advancement (EFInA), Foyinsolami Akinjayeju, said the findings aligned with existing evidence from national financial access surveys. She noted that these surveys highlight structural barriers limiting access to financial services in Northern Nigeria. Akinjayeju outlined three priority actions needed to drive inclusive finance: policy action, institutional commitment, and collaboration among stakeholders. She stressed that governments, development partners, and financial institutions must align policies with local realities while ensuring sustained commitment to inclusive economic growth. “Financial inclusion is not only a moral imperative; it also makes business sense, because expanding access allows more citizens to participate and contribute to the economy,” she said.