The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq on Thursday flagged off a four-day training programme to establish beneficiaries in Mobile Money transactions in the Federal Capital Territory and the North Central states.
Mobile Money Agents’ Training Programme, according to the Ministry is designed to empower unemployed youths and develop their competences to operate as registered mobile money agents.
Speaking at the event which took place at the International Centre for Women’s Development in Abuja, the Minister explained that Federal Government has paid more attention to promoting the plight of the poor and vulnerable in the country which informed the decision to initiate the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) as a strategy for enhancing social inclusion.
She said, “the training we are starting today will enable target beneficiaries to meet the minimum technical and business requirements for becoming mobile money agents and enhance their entrepreneurial competences to successfully start and manage mobile money businesses.
“Upon completion of the training, the target beneficiaries will be registered with the Shared Agency Network Expansion Facility (SANEF) as Mobile Money Agents and will be provided with Start-up Kits that include a Point-of-Sale (POS) Machine, Fingerprint Scanner and Furniture (chairs, tables and umbrellas) as well as a modest capital of N20,000.00”.
The Minister however applauded Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities SANEF for their partnership and contributions to the programme stating that their input will enable the registration and onboarding of target beneficiaries upon completion of the training.
“We deeply appreciate the support of other stakeholders and their contributions to the realization of Mr. President’s vision to lift Nigerians out of poverty.
“We hope that It will also enhance the integration of NSIP by enabling target beneficiaries to join the network of agents providing financial-related services under other components of NSIP, especially the conditional cash transfer and the grant for vulnerable groups, as well as in the enumeration and enrollment of target beneficiaries”. She said.
The minister later made a symbolic presentation of POS machines, Umbrellas, Finger print scanners, furniture and a twenty thousand Naira starting capital to some of the beneficiaries.
In her goodwill message, the Chief Executive Officer of SANEF Limited Mrs Ronke Kuye pointed out the key objectives of SANEF to include Agent Expansion, Stakeholder engagement, Financial Literacy and Awareness. Mrs Kuye stated that it’s purpose is to empower citizens as an intervention programme and provide jobs and livelihood for citizens.
“This partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development will act as a strong elixir to further deepen and expand Financial Inclusion through Agent Banking to the underserved and unserved, as well as a last mile distribution to hinterlands hitherto reached.
“Our role in providing Financial Literacy Training and Awareness for participants during this programme before they are on-boarded as Agents is vital as this will allow the participants to learn the rudiments and dynamics of what they are about to become a critical part.
“It is such unique partnerships that resonate as major positives in the drive to bring greater development to our communities and we are proud to be part of this”.
The programme is expected to provide job opportunities for 1,850 youths selected from the 36 States and the FCT as well as promote financial inclusion, by providing financial services to under-served Nigerians.
