Business
CBA Foundation Launches Social Enterprise Initiative to Take Intervention Among Underprivileged Widows to Next Level
If indications from two separate but related events that were held last December are anything to go by, then one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups may be on the verge of experiencing better times. The events, hosted in two separate states/regions and separated by a 20-day interval, held at a time when self-splurging by many young Nigerians was at octane levels, and saw young men and women behind an NGO that caters to the welfare of underprivileged widows and their vulnerable children, passionately putting the widows’ needs above their wants.
The NGO, CBA Foundation, its dedicated and passionate staff, supporters and donors came out in their numbers on two dedicated days in December to give widows in selected communities in Lagos and Anambra a treat during the festive season. The Lagos outreach benefitted, in a unique way, widows in six communities in Ibeju-Lekki, namely: Badore, Iberekodo, Museyo, Magbon Alade, Okunola Ilado and Magbon Iga.
CBA Foundation seized the opportunity of the outreach to launch a new initiative it tagged Social Enterprise Initiative. The Initiative, which is aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of all efforts to protect and promote the welfare of widows as well as their children, is to cater to the financial, mental and physical health needs of beneficiaries. The Initiative is to provide comprehensive support, including health interventions, skill acquisition, business set-up, food and drinks, clothes and shoes, and general support for all affected widows.
The Founder/CEO of CBA Foundation, Mrs Chinwe Bode-Akinwande explained the reason for the Foundation’s shift to the new Initiative: “We have been doing outreaches and it has been non-stop, but the essence of this Social Enterprise Initiative is for the widows to have something that will sustain them even for a longer period, something that will give them hope, knowing that they have a sustainable source of livelihood and activities that remind them that they need to keep going.”
Continuing, she reveals when the idea for the new initiative began: “When the lockdown came last year [2020], we realised that there was a need again to have something sustainable for these women. With the Social Enterprise Initiative, we identify the skills they need to possess, and what they are passionate about, we also empower them with the necessary training and then set them up with all they need for the business. At the end of the day, they won’t have to wait daily for the CBA Foundation to give them food or clothing.”
Mrs Bode-Akinwande noted that the Initiative had been informed by a rigorous analysis of the data in their database, gathered over the years on widows whom they have reached out to and the support they have been receiving from both individual and corporate donors. She said that they had dimensioned all the critical issues from widows with critical needs, where the Foundation needed to begin its interventions, to widows who needed to be set up in business and to several widows’ children who needed to be reinstated back in school.
She also remarked that plans were underway at the Foundation to take the skills acquisition training further, beginning with adire-making (tie and dye). She announced that the Foundation would have a line of products that would be its adire pattern, displaying its unique signature. When sold, a percentage of the profit would be ploughed back into the Foundation as a constant stream of income.
The idea, the Foundation CEO stressed, would inspire the widows who show a keen interest in adire-making as they would be involved and exposed to its value chain which is essential to optimising their execution after their training. So, the adire-making training followed with tutorials on the step-by-step processes involved in it, materials needed and how to identify them, necessary safety precautions, various tie and dye techniques, packaging and distribution and how to make a living from adire-making.
For widows with impaired vision at the event, they were able to have free consultations with an ophthalmologist, get free eye tests and free reading glasses, courtesy of a partnership between FirstBank and Vision Spring. What followed when beneficiaries had the free reading glasses fitted and could see clearly were scenes similar to ones where people had experienced supernatural miracles. The ecstatic joy was palpable.
Take 59-year-old Hassanat Oyewunmi, for example. Tears of joy rolled freely from her eyes as she remarked that her farsightedness challenge had been addressed. She confessed excitedly that she felt “better, much better now with the glasses, and I can even see everyone clearly. It is good to know that we are not forgotten.”
Olabode Sadiat, 62, could not contain her joy as she wore her glasses and pointed in the distance, while indicating that she could see everything in her line of sight. She had suffered from a blurry vision that made reading her Bible difficult. “Nothing is more painful than not being able to read your Bible,” she had noted following the medical intervention.
The widows also received food, drinks, clothing and other materials that were distributed during the outreach. They were also given a final charge by Mrs Bode-Akinwande in which she reminded them that they were not alone and could always count on the support of the CBA Foundation.
In all, 165 widows across the six communities of Ibeju-Lekki benefitted on 4th December 2021 when the Lagos outreach was held. The Anambra outreach, on the other hand, benefitted 75 widows from four communities in the Nnewi area of the state. The outreach in Anambra was held on 24th December 2021.
Food items and financial empowerment constituted the bulk of the support CBA Foundation gave the Anambra widows to celebrate the festive season. The Anambra initiative has enjoyed tremendous support from a donor who has been consistent over the past four years. The Founder of the Foundation expressed gratitude to the donor while remarking that the outreach was being embarked on “at this festive season, so the widows can at least have something to eat and share with their loved ones.”
She continues: “We give hope to the hopeless. We are driven to support underprivileged widows to have a positive outlook on life despite the problems they experience by losing their loved one, mostly the breadwinner of the family.”
Both Lagos and Anambra outreaches were in some sense CBA Foundation’s way of giving underprivileged widows a “December to Remember” treat. Of course, that treat would at best be modest compared to how people who were not in any known vulnerable categories took care of themselves and themselves alone. Even with the best of intentions, CBA Foundation could only work with donations received from donors and supporters at a time of the year when most (young) people were dedicating more resources to the self-splurging that December has come to represent.
While it may not be in one’s place to dictate to others how they should spend the money they have worked so hard to make, one cannot help but try to point them to ways they could better dispense their hard-earned cash that would be in their enlightened self-interest. Or what sense is there in spending on oneself so lavishly and ostentatiously as though spending was going to go out of fashion at any moment only to provoke the have-nots to make one the target of their misdirected anger in a society that is largely dysfunctional?
A similar question should be addressed to the government and public officials: What sense is there in expending huge public resources on projects that have no direct bearing on the welfare of vulnerable groups when it only widens the gap between the haves (including public officials) and have-nots and exacerbates the conditions that heighten security concerns among the haves? At what point will the government, public officials and the privileged class start acting in their enlightened self-interest by committing genuine efforts to narrow the gap between those who have and those who can only wish?
It is high time public officials and the privileged began building strong coalitions and partnerships with groups and organisations that have been working to protect and support as well as advocate for the vulnerable for years now. They must begin to key into and support the organisations’ laudable initiatives that show great potential in helping to narrow the frightening gap.
CBA Foundation’s Social Enterprise Initiative represents one of such laudable initiatives. It is a well-thought-out initiative capable of transforming the existing arrangement for care and support of vulnerable groups such as underprivileged widows and their children and taking their welfare to the next level. The Government, individuals as well as corporate organisations must join hands with the Foundation if the Initiative is to have any chance of success.
Through its avowed commitment to “touching lives, giving hope…” not in mere words and empty promises but genuine and visible action on the ground (see ample examples captured on its website: www.cbafoundation.org), CBA Foundation has already demonstrated its readiness to do more with more support. It has shown that it is living true to its #CareIsAction DNA and can thus be trusted with more support. The Social Enterprise Initiative, therefore, enlists all to send an email at: cbafoundationng@gmail.com to partner with the Foundation in the drive to take the welfare of underprivileged widows to the next level where its long-term sustainability is guaranteed.
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading Pan‑African financial services group, Ecobank Group, has announced the fifth edition of the Adire Lagos Experience, its flagship cultural and creative industry showcase. The event will take place from June 11–14, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos.
The 2026 edition is themed “Threads Across Borders,” celebrating the depth and global resonance of Adire as a uniquely Nigerian art form, while positioning it within Africa’s broader textile and cultural narrative.
Rooted in Nigeria’s rich heritage, the Adire Lagos Experience continues to serve as a gateway for cross‑border cultural exchange, reinforcing Ecobank’s Pan‑African vision through culture‑led commerce.
The four‑day event will feature over 100 vendors, with the exhibition remaining predominantly Nigerian, reflecting the country’s leadership as the home and heartland of Adire production. To enrich diversity and continental collaboration, 10 percent of participating vendors will come from outside Nigeria, offering complementary African textile expressions and creative perspectives that foster knowledge exchange and cross‑border partnerships.
Speaking on the upcoming event, Omoboye Odu, Head, SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, highlighted the intentional balance between cultural authenticity and Pan‑African inclusion.
“Adire is proudly Nigerian, and this platform remains firmly anchored in celebrating our local artisans and creative enterprises. At the same time, Ecobank’s Pan‑African mandate allows us to thoughtfully open the space to creators from other African markets, encouraging collaboration, shared learning, and trade connections that elevate African craftsmanship as a whole,” she said.
Beyond the exhibition booths, the Adire Lagos Experience 2026 will offer indigenous cuisine, African music and cultural performances, alongside curated networking and business engagement sessions designed to strengthen linkages across the Adire and wider creative value chain—from artisans and designers to merchants, buyers, and cultural enthusiasts.
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting SMEs and the creative economy, Ecobank has opened registration for prospective exhibitors, with selected applicants eligible to receive complimentary exhibition booths. Applications close on April 28, 2026.
Through the Adire Lagos Experience, Ecobank continues to champion Nigeria’s cultural leadership while advancing Pan‑African collaboration—transforming heritage into enterprise and reinforcing its role as a truly Pan‑African institution driving impact beyond banking.
As the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitaliSation exercise came to an end March 31, 2026, most banks operating in the country rose to the challenge and met the requirement ahead of time.
However, Fidelity Bank’s proactive approach paid off, and it continued to demonstrate its commitment to growth and innovation. In a remarkable display of investor confidence, Fidelity Bank opened and concluded a private placement in just one day on December 31, 2025. Leading institutions, including AFREXIM Bank and its subsidiaries, invested in the bank, showcasing their faith in Fidelity’s vision and leadership.
With the CBN’s verification process complete, Fidelity Bank’s capital base now exceeds the required N500 billion threshold. This milestone positions the bank to expand its footprint, drive growth, and deliver returns to investors.
Market analysts stated that the successful completion of the private placement underscores strong investor confidence in the bank’s growth strategy, governance framework and long-term fundamentals, even amid tightening regulatory standards and evolving macroeconomic conditions.
The lender had announced to the investing public that it has surpassed the N500billion regulatory capital threshold following the successful completion of a N259billion private placement of ordinary shares.
The Company Secretary, Fidelity Bank, Ezinwa Unuigboje in a signed statement on Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) disclosed that the private placement, conducted with the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was opened and closed on December 31, 2025.
According to her, the proceeds from the exercise lifted Fidelity Bank’s eligible capital from N305.5billion to N564.5billion, subject to final regulatory approvals.
The latest capital raise positions the lender comfortably above the new minimum capital requirement of N500billion for commercial banks with international authorisation, as stipulated by the apex bank under its banking sector recapitalisation programme. According to the bank, the private placement was carried out pursuant to the mandate granted by shareholders at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on February 6, 2025.
At the meeting, shareholders authorised the board to issue up to 20 billion ordinary shares through a private placement as part of measures to strengthen the bank’s capital base and enhance its capacity to support economic growth. The N259billion raised through the private placement builds on earlier capital-raising efforts by the bank. Fidelity Bank had stolen the show by taking a bold step in June 2024, launching a Public Offer and Rights Issue to raise capital.
Fidelity Bank successfully raised N175.85billion via a combination of a public offer and rights issue, which had increased its eligible capital to N305.5billion at the time. That exercise left a capital shortfall of N194.5billion relative to the new regulatory benchmark, a gap now fully covered by the latest transaction. Fidelity Bank’s strategic moves have set it up for success, and the stage is set for the bank to make significant strides in the Nigerian banking sector. Fidelity Bank noted that the strengthened capital position will enhance its balance sheet resilience, support business expansion, and enable it to play a more robust role in financing key sectors of the Nigerian economy, in line with regulatory expectations. The bank added that it remains focused on value creation for shareholders, prudent risk management and sustained profitability as it navigates the post-recapitalisation phase of the banking sector. Meanwhile, the stock price of Fidelity Bank closed trading April 10, 2026 at N19.50 per share on the NGX.
Access Bank Plc has been named Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand for the fifth consecutive year by Brand Finance, reinforcing its leadership position in the country’s financial services sector.
Brand Finance announced this in its Nigeria 25 2026 report, which ranks the country’s strongest brands based on brand value, brand strength, and underlying business performance. According to the report, Access Bank’s brand value stands at ₦773.2 billion, maintaining its number one ranking despite short term macro-economic and market pressures.
It attributed the marginal year-on-year decline in brand value to a deliberate strategic shift, as the Bank continues to prioritise long term growth, regional expansion, and international scale over shortterm domestic margins.
Brand Finance pointed out that Access Bank’s sustained leadership reflects a longterm brand strategy anchored on scale, trust, and regional relevance, positioning the Bank to maintain brand strength and resilience as Nigeria’s economy continues its gradual recovery and the competitive landscape evolves.
It highlighted Access Bank’s transition from a local market leader to a cross continental financial infrastructure provider, noting that stronger contributions from its African operations helped offset a decline in Nigerian income during the period. This repositioning supports the Bank’s ambition of serving as a key gateway between Africa and global financial markets.
Importantly, the Brand Finance report also recorded a strengthening of the Access Bank brand, with the Bank rising to third place nationally on the Brand Strength Index (BSI), achieving a score of 88.7/100 and retaining an AAA brand rating. Brand Finance links this improvement to stronger brand coherence across markets and clearer strategic positioning following the consolidation of international acquisitions.
Commenting, Babatunde Odumeru, Managing Director, Brand Finance Nigeria, said, a defining shift in the business environment has been the movement from survival to resilience, with brands that invested through uncertainty now emerging stronger.
“This report highlights a key trend: trust is now the fundamental driver of business growth. With consumers now more cautious about how they spend their money, brands must offer a reliability premium in order to build trust, which is an essential foundation for customer loyalty. The brands that have achieved this have not just stood out but have consistently grown their brand value and maintained their lead in the Brand Finance rankings: If you are reliable, you are valuable.”
Odumeru noted that the rankings were dominated by the banking and manufacturing sectors, driven by homegrown resilience and digital savviness required to convert engagement into customer loyalty. This dynamic, he said, reflects a collaborative strength between the two sectors that continues to underpin Nigeria’s overall brand value.
The Brand Finance Nigeria 25 report is published annually and assesses Nigeria’s leading brands using a combination of brand value, brand strength, and comprehensive market analysis.
