Nigeria’s financial system needs coherence, not just growth
Nigeria's financial system, despite growth in pension assets and digital finance, suffers from significant fragmentation, requiring a more coherent approach to manage interconnected risks.
In recent years, Nigeria's financial system has seen substantial growth, particularly through the expansion of pension assets and the increased accessibility of digital financial services. However, this growth has highlighted a critical issue: the structural fragmentation within the system. Various aspects of financial protection, such as retirement savings and insurance, often operate in silos and leave individuals exposed to overlapping risks without adequate support or integration. As a result, the populace faces challenges in effectively managing related risks that arise from health issues, job losses, or business declines.
The article underscores the necessity to address these structural weaknesses, emphasizing that financial shocks usually do not occur in isolation. It argues that crises in health, employment, and business can happen concurrently, thereby intensifying the strain on personal savings and insurance coverage. The current narrative suggests that while innovations in financial services and their expansion are commendable, they fall short of offering comprehensive solutions to these multifaceted risks unless a coherent structure is developed across various financial domains.
Thus, the call to action is clear: Nigeria's financial authorities must work towards creating a more cohesive financial ecosystem. This will not only help individuals in navigating the complexities introduced by interconnected risks but also enhance overall financial stability in the country. The future of Nigeria's financial system lies not just in growth metrics but in establishing a framework that fosters integration, resilience, and shared responsibility in financial management.