Business
IWD: Fidelity Bank Partners Groups to Empower Nigerian Women, Unveils ‘Give Her Power’ Initiative
Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment with the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with partner organisations at the launch of the bank’s “Give Her Power” initiative, a programme designed to equip Nigerian women with practical skills, tools, mentorship, and financial knowledge.
The partnerships, formalised as part of activities commemorating the 2026 International Women’s Day, bring together a diverse network of stakeholders: LUSH Hair, Barbergirl Academy School of Barbering, Dee ‘n’ Ell the Shoe Architect, Inter-Bau Foundation, IVM Innoson, National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) and One Universe.
The collaboration is anchored on the Bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, a structured platform created to provide vocational training, business support, and sustainable enterprise opportunities for women across multiple sectors.
Speaking during the event, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, highlighted that the bank’s ‘HerFidelity’ initiative reflects Fidelity Bank’s continued commitment to creating opportunities that empower women to achieve financial independence and build sustainable businesses.
“At Fidelity Bank, we strongly believe that empowering women is not only a social responsibility but also a powerful economic strategy. Through the ‘Give Her Power’ initiative and the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, we are providing women with practical tools, vocational skills and financial knowledge that will enable them to move from effort to earnings and from hustle to sustainable enterprise.”
She explained that the programme will deliver a range of interventions throughout the month of March, including the distribution of 1,000 sewing and grinding machines to support women-led microbusinesses, as well as vocational training in automobile mechanics, interior decoration, barbing, hair making, and shoe making.
Other components of the initiative include professional headshot sessions to strengthen women’s personal and professional brands, mentorship engagements with leading female entrepreneurs, and hands-on skill acquisition training in areas such as makeup artistry, nail care, and traditional headgear tying.
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe also noted that empowering women economically has ripple effects that extend beyond individual beneficiaries.
“When women are empowered economically, the impact extends far beyond individuals. It strengthens families, grows businesses, and uplifts entire communities. Research suggests that advancing women could add up to $12 trillion to global GDP. This reinforces the need to deliberately create platforms that support women to build sustainable businesses and strengthen their economic independence,” she added.
Applauding the bank’s initiative, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, commended Fidelity Bank for its leadership in promoting entrepreneurship and supporting women across the nation.
“This initiative strongly aligns with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to building an inclusive economy where women have access to skills, mentorship and financial opportunities they need to thrive”, Ambrose-Medebem stated.
Her words, “Women remain key drivers of commerce and enterprise across Lagos, from traditional markets to emerging digital sectors. This initiative by Fidelity Bank has ensured that we stayed true to the promoting and supporting women”.
Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, praised Fidelity Bank for championing financial inclusion and economic independence for women.
“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty and strengthen communities. We commend Fidelity Bank for this forward-thinking initiative and for demonstrating how collaboration between the private sector and government can create meaningful opportunities for women across the state,” she said.
Representatives of the partner organisations also expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for the collaboration, noting that the partnership will play a significant role in expanding vocational training opportunities and strengthening entrepreneurship among women.
The Give Her Power initiative is expected to empower hundreds of women through skill development, mentorship, and startup support, while reinforcing the role of women as key contributors to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
FirstBank and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) have concluded plans to bridge housing deficit and empower citizens with credit to own their own homes of choice in any of the 36 states of the Federation plus Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This is through the FirstBank’s MREIF mortgage loan product, which has proved to be an opportunity waiting for Nigerians to grab.
This laudable initiative considers the importance of shelter to Nigerian citizens especially low and middle income earners that have to save for years before they can build for themselves. It aims at delivering homes to those who would apply without stress, putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians now, and during retirement.
Through MREIF, FirstBank will provide eligible customers with access to loans of up to N100 million with a repayment period of up to 20 years, at an attractive interest rate of 9.75% per annum. This is less than the usual interest rate on regular loans which sit at about 27% or more today. The repayment duration of 20 years makes the loan attractive for customers without stress.
The mortgage facility is available to salary account holders, business owners, and diaspora customers.
Interested customers are required to visit the Bank’s website: https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/mreif-home-loan/ where they can find detailed information and begin their journey toward homeownership.
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has concluded plans to host a high-level virtual webinar focused on helping public institutions to strengthen revenue systems, improve fiscal transparency, and build smarter digital structures for collections, oversight, and accountability.
This event, with the theme, Digital Fiscal Transparency: Unlocking Sub-national Opportunities for International Partners, is billed for Tuesday, March 24, 2026,
The programme is expected to bring together a cross-section of public sector leaders, development institutions, heads of parastatals and agencies, as well as financial experts, to explore practical solutions for stronger public finance management.
It is expected to offer timely insights into how modern revenue infrastructure can help institutions improve efficiency, drive accountability, and support better fiscal outcomes.
The webinar will address key issues facing many public institutions today, including revenue leakages, fragmented collection channels, weak visibility into revenue performance, poor reconciliation processes, and the growing need for more transparent and technology-driven systems.
“As public institutions seek ways to improve internally generated revenue and strengthen public trust, there has been a renewed focus on fiscal transparency.
“This is particularly important in the face of recent macro and micro economic developments with many public sector agencies under pressure to do more with limited resources,” the Divisional Head of Public Sector at Fidelity Bank, Mr Richard Madiebo, said.
“It is against this background that we have conceptualised this session with a particular focus on how digital platforms can support structured invoicing, seamless collections, payment automation, contractor disbursement transparency, real-time revenue oversight, amongst other pertinent areas of revenue mobilisation and administration in Nigeria,” he added
“The webinar forms part of our commitment to provide practical solutions that support public sector transformation and stronger sub-national development. This is in line with Fidelity Bank’s mandate to help individuals to grow, businesses to thrive, and economies to prosper,” Mr Madiebo further disclosed.
Interested participants may register at www.fidelitybank.ng/publicsectorwebinar.
Access Bank Plc and King’s Trust International (KTI) have formally signed a strategic partnership agreement to expand opportunity, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods for young people across Africa.
The partnership agreement was signed by Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank Plc, for Access Bank, and Will Straw, CBE, Chief Executive Officer of King’s Trust International, on behalf of KTI.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior leaders and representatives from both organisations, alongside distinguished guests including Aigboje Aig‑Imoukhuede, CFR, Co-Chair, King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board and Chairman, Access Holdings Plc; Ofovwe Aig‑Imoukhuede; Co‑Chair, King’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board, and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The partnership brings together King’s Trust International’s expertise in youth development with Access Bank’s pan‑African reach and long‑standing commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth. Through this collaboration, the two organisations will work to equip young people with the skills, confidence and support needed to build successful futures through employment and entrepreneurship.
Under the agreement, Access Bank will support the delivery of King’s Trust International programmes that empower young people across several African countries, supporting them to gain skills and find pathways into meaningful employment and self-employment across Africa.
Speaking at the signing, Will Straw CBE, Chief Executive Officer of King’s Trust International, said: “This partnership with Access Bank reflects a shared commitment to unlocking the potential of young people across Africa. By combining our experience in youth development with Access Bank’s scale and leadership across the continent, we can create meaningful pathways to opportunity and long‑term impact.”
Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, added: “At Access Bank, we believe that empowering young people is fundamental to Africa’s sustainable growth. Our partnership with King’s Trust International reinforces our commitment to entrepreneurship, job creation and inclusive development, while enabling us to play a purposeful role in shaping the continent’s future.”
The partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing cross‑sector collaboration to address youth unemployment, foster entrepreneurship and drive inclusive growth across Africa.
