Laughter, curiosity and earnest questions, as observed by our reporter, on Wednesday filled the assembly hall of Nyanmusala Primary and Secondary School in Jalingo as hundreds of students gathered to mark this year’s World Savings Day with a lesson that could shape their financial futures.
The occasion was a financial literacy sensitization programme organised by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), where the agency’s leadership emphasised the importance of financial planning and budgeting, describing sound financial habits as essential for long term stability and economic growth.
Designed to instil a savings culture, promote financial safety and encourage responsible money management among young people, teachers and members of the school’s management were noticed to aa well joined the students, lending support to an initiative many described as timely and impactful.
Addressing the audience, an NDIC official, Dr. Idris Mohammed Idris, broke down everyday financial challenges in simple, relatable terms. He urged the students to start early by setting clear financial goals and arranging their needs in order of priority, stressing that good money habits developed at a young age often last a lifetime.
Dr. Idris encouraged the students to clearly distinguish between wants and needs, organise their spending through proper budgeting and cultivate disciplined financial behaviour.
He also highlighted the importance of using the formal banking system, noting that recognised financial institutions remain among the safest and fastest avenues for saving and growing money.
In a complementary session, another NDIC official, Aminu Musa, who took time to explain the mandate of the corporation, reassured participants of NDIC’s role in protecting depositors. He advised the students to always keep their money in recognised financial institutions to guarantee safety and security.
For many of the students, the lessons went beyond the classroom. Those who spoke with our correspondent, said the experience had reshaped their understanding of money management. They noted that the discussions had taught them how to prioritise spending, separate needs from wants and plan more deliberately for the future.
Buoyed by the impact of the initiative, the students appealed to the NDIC to sustain the programme, calling for similar financial literacy sessions to be organised on a quarterly basis. They said regular engagement would further strengthen their confidence and preparedness to make informed financial decisions as they grow.