38% of Northern Nigerian Women Lack Financial Access

A study conducted by Bayero University Kano, specifically through the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, found that 38% of women in Northern Nigeria do not have access to financial services. The report, titled "Understanding the Influence of Behaviour in Northern Nigeria," was unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday.

It highlights that 52% of women utilize financial services, with 45% accessing formal financial services such as bank deposits and microfinance institutions. The study, which will commence in 2024, aims to examine the social norms and behaviors that influence financial inclusion across 19 northern states.

Prof. Yusuf Garba, representing Vice Chancellor Prof.

Haurna Musa, explained that the research will investigate why the region lags in financial access. The study will take 18 months and produce two volumes detailing the influence of structural trust, gender norms, and religious considerations on financial behavior.

The findings align with national statistics indicating high poverty and unemployment rates in the region, necessitating economic empowerment initiatives.