Nurturing a New Generation of Innovative Leaders Through Financial Education

As we celebrate International Day of Education today, we take a moment to reflect on the Smart Money Skills for Tomorrow Project (SMSTP), launched in 2024. To date, this initiative has reached five secondary schools across Lagos, empowering hundreds of students with vital skills for their future.

The core aim of this project is simple yet impactful: to equip secondary school students with essential financial skills, including money management, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking. With this initiative, Parthian Partners is helping to nurture a new generation of innovative leaders who can drive economic growth and create a brighter, more prosperous future.

Why did we choose this project? Nigeria’s human capital—the skills and knowledge of its workforce—remains underdeveloped. According to the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2020 Human Development Report, Nigeria ranked 161 out of 189 countries in the 2019 Human Development Index. This ranking highlights the urgent need for youth-focused investments. At Parthian Partners, we’ve always been committed to developing talent, particularly among the next generation of leaders. Recognizing this need, we decided to focus on financial literacy—a critical area often overlooked in secondary education, especially for underserved students.

When people think of "financial literacy," they often reduce it to lessons on making money. But at Parthian, we see it as so much more. By teaching young minds the principles of financial management, we’re also fostering problem-solving skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and a mindset of resilience. These are the tools that will enable them to lead not just successful lives but also transformative communities.

Our decision to focus on secondary school students is rooted in the belief that early intervention matters. The "catch them young" approach has shown us that teaching adolescents transferable skills sets them on a lifelong path of growth and learning. The benefits ripple outward, positively impacting their families and communities.

This project is incredibly close to our hearts. It’s our way of giving back to a society that has given so much to us. Today, we invite you to join the "catch them young" movement in your own way. Share your ideas, support youth financial literacy, and help us nurture the next generation of transformational leaders.