Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has called for greater financial inclusion to expand access to financial services for women, young people and rural entrepreneurs.
She made the call at the maiden International Conference 2026 organised by the Department of Finance, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, themed “Finance for Sustainable Development: Leveraging Innovation, Risk Management and Financial Inclusion in Emerging Economies.”
Represented by Dr. Matthew Jonah, Odu stressed the need for effective regulation, financial literacy, cybersecurity and sound risk management to strengthen confidence in the financial system.
She also urged financial institutions to increase support for agriculture, manufacturing, technology and small businesses to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
The deputy governor described universities as vital centres for research and innovation, urging participants to translate their findings into practical policies and solutions that improve people’s lives.
In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Lekue Kenneth, described finance as a key driver of economic development, noting that critical sectors depend on adequate funding to thrive.
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Represented by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Carol Ibinabo Matthew, Kenneth commended the Central Bank of Nigeria for promoting financial inclusion through digital financial services.
He, however, called for stronger safeguards against cybercrime, fraud and data breaches as digital financial transactions continue to expand.
The commissioner advocated a resilient financial system that supports entrepreneurs, improves agricultural productivity, attracts investment and extends services to underserved communities.
Declaring the conference open, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Okechukwu Onuchuku, described finance as a critical instrument for sustainable development and encouraged participants to develop practical solutions to economic challenges.
Earlier, the Head of the Department of Finance, Prof. Hyacinth Amakiri Ajie, said the conference would address financial exclusion, climate-related pressures, debt burdens, exchange-rate volatility and limited access to capital.
Other contributors included the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peter Nwagor, former Abia State University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Onyenachi Maxwell Ogbuehi, and representatives of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
