Princess Folashade Azeezat Abeo Nurudeen, the Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, has called for greater access to financial opportunities, support programmes and relevant Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policies for market traders and artisans, particularly those engaged in legitimate import and export businesses.
She made the call on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during the CBN Listens Programme Enlightenment Campaign held at Jogor Event Centre, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
The programme, organised by the CBN, focused on sensitising stakeholders to the bank’s policies and initiatives on payment systems, financial consumer protection, monetary policy, Bank Verification Number (BVN), the Clean Naira Note Policy and financial inclusion.
Held under the theme, “Towards a Robust, Resilient and Inclusive Financial System for Sustainable Economic Growth,” the event brought together stakeholders from different sectors of the economy to discuss financial policies and their implications for businesses and individuals.
During the interactive session, Princess Abeo advocated for market traders and artisans, emphasising the need for them to understand and benefit from relevant financial policies and opportunities provided by the CBN.
She specifically sought clarification from CBN officials on the support mechanisms, financial services and opportunities available to traders and business operators involved in legitimate import and export activities, noting the importance of such initiatives to the growth and sustainability of their businesses.
Her intervention underscored the need to make financial information accessible to grassroots entrepreneurs, who contribute significantly to commercial activities, employment and economic development.
In response, CBN officials explained that traders involved in importation and exportation could access regulated foreign exchange-related services, including dollar-denominated payment cards, subject to applicable requirements. They also clarified that loan facilities could be accessed through commercial and microfinance banks, depending on the nature of the business and the available programmes.
The officials emphasised that the CBN does not directly grant loans to individuals, explaining that prospective beneficiaries would need to approach the appropriate financial institutions to explore available facilities.
Speaking with journalists after the programme, Princess Abeo described the enlightenment campaign as timely and important, noting that money handling and financial transactions are central to the daily activities of market traders.
She commended the CBN for organising the initiative and stressed the importance of proper naira handling and preservation, describing the national currency as an important symbol of Nigeria’s identity.
The Iyaloja-General pledged to intensify public education among market women, traders and artisans across Oyo State on the need to handle naira notes responsibly and comply with the CBN’s Clean Naira Note Policy.
She also highlighted the health implications of keeping money in unhygienic places, urging traders to adopt cleaner and safer money-handling practices as part of their everyday business activities.
Beyond financial awareness, Princess Abeo called on market stakeholders across the state to embrace unity, cooperation and constructive engagement with the government to advance their economic interests.
She noted that commercial activities and the contributions of traders play important roles in government revenue generation and broader economic growth.
Princess Abeo therefore urged traders to work closely with the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, stressing that stronger collaboration between market associations and the government could improve communication, expand access to relevant programmes and create more opportunities for traders to benefit from government policies and initiatives.
She reaffirmed the importance of continuous engagement between financial institutions, government authorities and grassroots business operators to promote financial inclusion, strengthen small businesses and support sustainable economic development across Oyo State.
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