Group, Bankers’ Committee empower 19,000 youths with financial literacy skills

By Our Reporter

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee and leading financial institutions, has strengthened financial education among young Nigerians, reaching more than 19,000 secondary school students across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The initiative, implemented under the 2026 Global Money Week (GMW), engaged students in 163 schools with support from 13 participating financial institutions, highlighting the importance of financial literacy in preparing young people for greater financial security.

Held with the theme, “Smart Money Talks,” the campaign exposed students to practical financial concepts, including budgeting, saving, investing, responsible spending and informed financial decision-making.

Volunteers from participating financial institutions, including Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Wema Bank, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Coronation Bank, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank, among others, worked with JAN to deliver interactive classroom sessions aimed at developing lifelong financial management skills.

The students participated in discussions, practical exercises and question-and-answer sessions designed to make financial concepts easier to understand and apply to everyday situations.

The programme also encouraged participants to think critically about money, develop responsible financial habits and understand how sound financial decisions can help them achieve their personal and long-term goals.

Speaking on the nationwide exercise, the Programs Officer, Adewale Orebanwo, described financial literacy as an essential life skill that transcends age, gender and geographical boundaries.

“Financial literacy is an essential life skill; it knows no age group, no gender, no boundary. I’ve watched hundreds of secondary school students across this nation take ownership of their money management skills, and I have no doubt: they carry what it takes to transform their society,” Orebanwo said.

According to him, the Financial Literacy Day initiative has evolved beyond a one-day programme into a sustained approach to building responsible financial habits among young Nigerians.

The Acting Head of Programs, JAN, Oluwatosin Oyetayo, said Global Money Week provides an important opportunity to equip young people with the knowledge and habits required to make sound financial decisions from an early age.

“This year, Junior Achievement Nigeria reached more than 19,000 students across all 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, equipping them with practical knowledge on saving, planning, budgeting, and making informed financial choices,” Oyetayo said.

“At Junior Achievement Nigeria, we believe every naira saved today is a future secured tomorrow.”

JAN said the Financial Literacy Day campaign forms part of Global Money Week, an annual international awareness campaign focused on helping children and young people develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours required to make sound financial decisions and achieve long-term financial well-being.

The organisation said partnerships with financial institutions remain critical to expanding access to financial education, particularly among young people, and helping them develop the financial capabilities needed to navigate an increasingly complex economy.

Junior Achievement Nigeria is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, a non-profit economic education organisation operating in more than 100 countries.

JAN said it has impacted more than two million students across Nigeria through programmes promoting creativity, innovation and economic empowerment, while preparing young Nigerians to contribute to the country’s economic development.