ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND EDUCATION THROUGH ICT IN THE POST COVID-19 ERA AS A PARADIGM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN LAGOS

Abstract

This study conducted a critical analysis of ICT-enabled financial inclusion and digital financial education in the post-COVID-19 era, examining their potential as a paradigm for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study's findings revealed several significant insights. digital financial education and e-literacy were found to have a substantial influence on ICT-enabled financial inclusion. Furthermore, the research indicated that technology-driven financial inclusion could play a crucial role in bridging the socioeconomic gap between the rich and the poor. This impact manifests through various digital mechanisms, including improved cybersecurity for financial transactions, enhanced digital financial freedom, positive effects on e-commerce and online businesses, better access to digital loan facilities, and the creation of new fintech-based business opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals. The contribution to achieving SDGs, ICT-enabled financial inclusion was found to promote digital gender equality, facilitate remote employment opportunities, improve access to telemedicine and e-health facilities, and contribute to poverty reduction through digital financial services. Based on these results, the study puts forth several recommendations. Partnerships should aim to create and implement initiatives that enhance digital financial education within communities, thereby fostering greater ICT-enabled financial inclusion and contributing to the achievement of SDGs. This research provides valuable insights into the role of ICT-driven financial inclusion and digital education in sustainable development, particularly in the context of urban Nigeria. It highlights the interconnectedness of digital financial literacy, technological economic opportunity, and social progress, offering a foundation for policy development and further research in this crucial area of fintech and sustainable development.