Meristem Securities Limited has launched an initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians with essential skills and knowledge for success in business and investment. The program, titled MORE (Meristem Orientation for Rising Entrepreneurs), is designed to enhance financial literacy and entrepreneurial abilities among Nigeria’s youth, aligning with national economic growth objectives.
Wole Abegunde, the Group Managing Director of Meristem Securities, emphasized the program’s strategic importance in a recent statement. He stated, “Our goal with MORE is to improve financial literacy and financial inclusion among young people. We are committed to refining, supporting, and transforming the potential of Nigeria’s youth into wealth-generation opportunities.”
The initiative aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the business world and achieve financial independence. Abegunde noted that the program offers carefully curated learning opportunities to help young people practice wise investing both locally and globally.
MORE aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial literacy and inclusion drive and supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), and SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure).
Imaobong Asemah, the Team Lead for Wealth Advisory at Meristem Wealth, highlighted the need for such a program among young Nigerians aspiring to start their own businesses.
“Many young people have the zeal to start businesses, but zeal alone is not sufficient. We have developed a training system that helps young entrepreneurs navigate the challenging business landscape in Nigeria and beyond,” Asemah stated.
Femi Oladele, the Lead Coach for MORE, emphasized the platform’s modern and engaging approach to education. He described it as interactive and tailored to meet the educational needs of Generation Z and Generation Alpha. The program includes self-paced learning resources, mentoring, and pitch sessions, with specialized tracks for startups and scale-ups.
Oladele added, “Our contents are practical, easy-to-understand, and include lots of fun activities to inspire and guide young people’s investment journey. We understand that productive youthful participation is key to sustaining Nigeria’s growth trajectory. Our platform provides opportunities for business development, laced with exciting learning options.”
In addition to the MORE initiative, Meristem Securities has collaborated with the Nigerian Exchange Limited to launch a USSD platform aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and expanding access to the capital market. This partnership reflects a commitment to making financial education and investment opportunities more accessible to the youth.
The MORE initiative represents a significant step towards equipping Nigeria’s youth with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive business environment. By focusing on financial literacy and practical skills, Meristem aims to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs who can contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.
