ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, has expressed support for the expansion of financial technology solutions in Nigeria’s Southeast following a meeting with Flutterwave Chief Executive Officer, Olugbenga Agboola.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Flutterwave’s Media Consultant, Mr David Abakoa.
Achebe stated that the Southeast’s strong tradition of commerce and entrepreneurship places the region in a prime position to benefit from digital financial innovation.
He noted that the Igbo trading system, rooted in resilience and enterprise, could achieve greater growth when integrated with modern technology.
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The monarch explained that discussions focused on enhancing collaboration between technology firms and grassroots commercial communities, especially traders in major markets across the region.
He emphasised that aligning traditional commerce with digital platforms would improve access to financial services and increase competitiveness in the global economy.
Achebe also highlighted youth development as a key aspect of the discussions, stressing the need to combine community-based empowerment with technology training.
He said such initiatives would help young Nigerians transition from job seekers to creators of scalable digital businesses.
The traditional ruler further underscored the significance of the Onitsha Main Market, one of West Africa’s largest trading hubs, noting that structured technology education could unlock new opportunities for traders adopting digital payments and e-commerce.
He recalled an earlier effort to establish an information technology training initiative within the market, which did not materialise, but maintained that such programmes remain vital for grassroots digital transformation.
Achebe also stressed the importance of education and skills development in driving African economies, calling for sustained investment in learning and technological capacity.
He revealed that he had adopted Agboola as a son, describing him as a symbol of Nigerian ingenuity on the global stage due to his rise from humble beginnings to leading a major African fintech company.
Achebe added that he had invited Agboola to speak to students and stakeholders at Ahmadu Bello University, where he serves as Chancellor.
He noted that the engagement would offer valuable insights to young Nigerians entering the technology and business sectors.