In celebration of Global Money Week (GMW 2019), Bestman Games Initiatives, is launching its Financial Literacy Club in Schools project on Wednesday, 27th March, 2019, in partnership with Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS),

Bestman Games Limited, established in 2012, is a leading African games company and the African Distributor of customized editions of Hasbro’s world famous Monopoly Board Game. Bestman Games Initiatives, its non-profit subsidiary was established in 2018 as a vehicle for its impact initiatives in the education sector, with the Financial Literacy School Clubs being the primary focus. The goal of Bestman Games Initiatives is to introduce financial education to at least 10,000 school children each year.

In January 2019, Lagos State Ministry of Education approved the Financial Literacy School Clubs as an Extra-Curricular activity across schools in the state. The clubs would introduce the basic concepts of financial management to our school children through training workshops, games and hands-on peer engagement. This will give them a better understanding of money matters from a young age and help them develop into financially responsible adults.

Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), a project partner for this laudable initiative, has chosen to mark Global Money Week by setting up Financial Literacy Clubs in 5 schools in the first instance. These are, Keystone College, Ireti Junior Grammar School, Akande Dahunsi Memorial High School, Isale Eko Junior Grammar School and Lagos City College.

Students will be introduced to the various concepts of money management. Each of the schools shall be equipped with club kits for club members as well as financial literacy training for the teachers in charge of the clubs. Club membership includes workshops, JA Nigeria More than Money manuals, PiggyBanks, Games and Book Keeping manuals.

To introduce the concept of the “cashless society,” NIBSS is presenting the City of Lagos Electronic Banking Monopoly games, to the students. Instead of the cash based monopoly game, players transact business, buying and selling assets including real estate etc electronically, using the games’ Point of Sale (POS) machine. This underscores NIBSS commitment to empower Nigerian youth with financial education and financial inclusion.

This project shall run seamlessly throughout the academic year, and seeks to enroll many more schools so as to reach and supersede the 10,000 students yearly goal. Students will also benefit from the timeless expertise of Junior Achievement Nigeria, (JA Nigeria) who have supported this initiative in the drive to empower our children with financial education. JA Nigeria’s “More than Money” manuals, are at the core of the club curriculum. JANigeria is dedicated to empowering students on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship through experiential, hands-on programs, a most powerful form of learning.

“With financial literacy not yet embedded in our school curriculum, the onus is on parents, teachers and guardians to be proactive about introducing our children and youth to basic money skills as early as possible,” said Nimi Akinkugbe, CEO Bestman Games and Founder, ‘Money Matters with Nimi.’

“We are grateful to our partners and look forward to welcoming more organizations and individuals to support this impactful initiative by giving more children access to financial education from a young age. We are excited about the impact that this gift of financial literacy will have on thousands of lives and livelihoods.”