The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled plans to commence retail banking services next year in partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele disclosed this yesterday at a retreat organized by the bankers’ committee.
In order to collectively address the challenges militating against the achievements of the objective of the AGSMEIS initiative, the CBN is considering the proposal for the establishment of the national microfinance bank, which would leverage on the Nigerian Postal Service presence in 774 local government areas across the country.
He continues
“We have called on NIPOST and they have agreed to join us in this. They would provide their facilities in 774 local governments and this would be their own contribution by way of equity into the establishment of the national MFB. We would provide the infrastructure.”
What is AGSMEIS
The Agri-Business and Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme was established in 2017, following the approval of the bankers’ committee at its 331st meeting held on the 9th of February 2017.
Other reasons for the move
Emefiele also disclosed that the bank would enable the CBN to create jobs and enhance skill acquisition in the rural communities.
“The task and responsibility to improve our rural communities lies in our hands and we believe strongly that using this infrastructure of the national MFB, we would get to achieve the objective of creating jobs, and enhance the skills of our people in our rural communities, improve and grow the economy so we can achieve the development that we so badly require in Nigeria today,”
