Pan-African bank, Ecobank Nigeria has started a youth engagement program in tertiary institutions across Nigeria as part of efforts to deepen financial inclusion by banking the youth.

It was themed ‘Ecobank Xpress Campus Storm’, the initiative is expected to avail students of tertiary institutions the opportunity to open the Ecobank Xpress account, a digital account that requires no documentation, minimum balance or paperwork, simply by downloading the Ecobank Mobile app. With the Ecobank Xpress account, students will be able to access financial services such as airtime top up, funds transfer and bill payments from their mobile devices. Parents and Guardians will also be able to transfer money to their children or wards‘Xpress accounts which they can withdraw without a card at any Ecobank ATM or Xpress Point.

The first phase of this initiative will cover 24 universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.

Carol Oyedeji, Executive Director Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said while flagging of the initiative that it will empower young people by offering them convenient, affordable and accessible financial services anytime, anywhere from their mobile.

According to her it was in line with the bank’s strategy to make banking available to the hitherto unbanked and underbanked in support of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusive drive.

She said: “this initiative is one of the ways we are connecting with the youth segment. We will set up free WiFicentres tagged the ‘Xpress Corner’ across these campuses and there are opportunities for the students to win exciting prizes during the activation. We will also hold concerts with major artistes as a means of infusing fun into the program”

The University of Lagos, Akoka; Yaba College of Technology, Yaba; University of Benin, Benin City; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta; University of Abuja and University of Uyo, AkwaI bom, etc. are among the institutions listed for the campus storm include