Soludo Hails CBN Capacity Building Efforts, Seeks Frequent Financial Inclusion Fairs

By Ukpa Ewa

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has held its annual CBN Fair Enlightenment Campaign at International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State. The event aimed at promoting financial literacy, adopting alternative payment channels and economic inclusion.

Representing Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) Sir Clement Chukwuka, praised CBN for its capacity building initiatives. He urged the bank to hold such fairs at least twice a year, emphasizing that regular engagement would help citizens better manage money, understand their rights and avoid financial pitfalls.

Sir Chukwuka highlighted the importance of educating people on the proper handling of money, noting that awareness of penalties for naira mutilation encourages careful management of currency. He described the CBN Fair as a “new dawn in financial inclusion,” stressing that knowledge and information dissemination were critical tools for personal and national economic growth.

He also called on the CBN to monitor and check illegal financial institutions operating in the country, warning that proper oversight is necessary to safeguard the public and strengthen the financial system. He commended Governor Soludo, a former CBN Governor, for his reforms and initiatives, including the One Youth, Two Skills development Programme currently organised in the state

In her remarks, the CBN Acting Director of Corporate Communications Hakama Sidi Ali explained that the fair provides a platform for direct engagement with the public on bank policies that drive sustainable economic growth.

She said the theme, “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development,” was chosen to emphasize the role of modern payment systems in achieving financial stability.

She highlighted recent reforms, such as exchange rate unification, bank recapitalization, the introduction of the non-resident BVN, the BMatch system for forex trading and the Nigeria Payment System Vision 2028, all aimed at improving liquidity management, financial inclusion and national development.

She advised participants to rely only on verified CBN channels for information and to uphold the integrity of the naira by avoiding mutilation, counterfeiting and improper handling.

Also in his contribution, the Branch Controller of CBN Awka, Akobundu Onwuchekwa described the fair as an opportunity to educate the public and engage stakeholders to improve service delivery. He stressed the CBN’s strategic role in modernizing the payment system and enhancing economic welfare through grassroots implementation of policies and initiatives.

On her part, Anambra State Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Bridget Asekhauno applauded the fair for educating stakeholders on protecting their finances, avoiding scams and safeguarding ATM information. She pledged to share the insights with FRSC personnel and assured residents of prompt responses to emergencies via the free toll line 122.

The event featured interactive sessions on financial literacy and naira preservation with participants from government agencies, security organizations, microfinance and commercial banks, traders, farmers, NYSC members and tertiary students engaging with CBN officials.