NDIC takes financial literacy campaign to secondary schools

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has intensified efforts to promote financial literacy and savings culture among young Nigerians by taking its financial education campaign to public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State.

The NDIC, as part of activities marking the 2026 Financial Literacy Day, visited the Federal Technical College, Ukana Offot, in Uyo Local Government Area, on Friday where students were sensitised on the importance of prudent financial management and the culture of saving. Blueprint reports

Speaking during the programme, the Controller of NDIC Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office, Mr. Adefemi Shaba, said the initiative was designed to improve financial literacy among young people and equip them with the knowledge required to make informed financial decisions in the future.

According to him, the programme, which featured discussions under the theme, “Smart Money Talks,” forms part of an annual awareness campaign jointly championed by the NDIC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He explained that the theme underscores the importance of having open conversations about money management and the need to build confidence among young people in handling financial matters.

Building a savings culture with NDIC

Shaba said one of the major objectives of the campaign was to inculcate a savings culture in children and teenagers, noting that the habit of saving is best developed from an early age.

He stressed that while the lessons may not appear immediately relevant to some of the students, the knowledge acquired would become useful as they advance in their academic pursuits and eventually begin to earn and manage their own income.

“We are here to commemorate Financial Literacy Day 2026 and to introduce the students to saving habits and encourage them to cultivate the culture of saving. We do this so that as the students grow up, they already have the habit of saving embedded in them,” he said.

The NDIC official added that the sensitisation programme also provided an opportunity for the corporation to educate students on its mandates and its role in promoting stability and confidence in the Nigerian banking system.

According to him, many Nigerians, especially young people, are unaware of the functions of the NDIC and the importance of financial institutions in national development.

Empowering the younger generation

Also speaking, the Principal Manager, Communication and Public Affairs Department of the NDIC, Mrs. Sa’adatu Bowsan, described Financial Literacy Day as a global initiative aimed at promoting financial education and empowering young people with essential money management skills.

She said the programme specifically targets secondary school students because they represent the future of the country’s economy and financial system.

According to her, exposing children to financial education at an early stage would help them develop positive financial behaviours and prepare them to become responsible adults.

“We are here in Akwa Ibom State as part of the commemoration of Financial Literacy Day 2026, which is a global initiative of the Bankers’ Committee. We are here basically to teach financial literacy, targeting young people, particularly secondary school students,” she said.

Bowsan noted that the essence of the programme is to shape the mindset of young Nigerians towards prudent financial management, savings and responsible spending.

“The whole idea is to target them while they are still young. We realised that the young people of today will become the adults of tomorrow, and so we are inculcating the right habits in them so that they can become better managers of resources in the future,” she added.

Students commend initiative

Some of the students who participated in the programme expressed appreciation to the NDIC for selecting their school for the sensitisation exercise.

One of the beneficiaries, Miss Udeme Effiong, said the programme had broadened her understanding of financial literacy and the importance of developing good savings habits.

She noted that prior to the programme, she had little knowledge of financial planning and management but now understood the need to save and make informed financial decisions.

“I want to thank the NDIC for choosing our school for this important programme. I have learnt a lot about financial literacy and I can now explain to others what it means and why saving is important,” she said.

Promoting financial inclusion

Financial experts have continued to stress the need for increased financial literacy among Nigerians, especially young people, as part of efforts to deepen financial inclusion and encourage responsible financial behaviour.

The annual Financial Literacy Day campaign has become one of the key platforms through which the NDIC and the CBN seek to bridge the knowledge gap in financial education and promote a culture of savings among citizens.

Stakeholders believe that equipping young people with financial knowledge and skills will not only improve personal financial management but also contribute significantly to economic growth and national development.

The NDIC has, over the years, continued to expand its financial education campaigns across the country, targeting schools and other institutions with the aim of raising a financially informed generation capable of making sound financial decisions.