Abstract:

The subject of Financial Intelligence (FI) is fundamental for financial freedom, which is in turn pivotal for fulfilment in life. Yet FI is missing from our school curriculums from kindergartens to universities. Interestingly, it is what we spend the most part of our lives pursuing. This paper investigates the severity of this gap by examining the academic curriculum of typical accounting programme of Nigeria Universities, from undergraduate to Ph.D., MBA as well as the syllabus of professional accounting body (ICAN) and compared with the basic financial intelligence curriculum. It was found that a clear and wide gap exists between normal academic curriculum and FI requirement. The implication of this missing link cannot be divorced from why we have so much of unemployment and poverty in the country as an average graduate lack the skill to make, manage and multiply money which is necessary condition for wealth creation to guarantee financial freedom in the medium to long term. The paper recommends the inclusion of FBI in the educational syllabuses of universities as well as professional bodies as a matter of urgency. This will not only arm the graduates with money management skills, and the potentials to create wealth but will also reduce poverty and ultimately translate into economic development.

Keywords:

Financial, Intelligence, Education, Curriculum, Nigeria.