Business
Sustainability: Nestlé Trains 750 Children, Begins Season 3
Nestlé Nigeria has trained over 750 children, beneficiaries of the Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) program in six primary schools in Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory.
Now in its third season, Nestlé Sustainability Training for Kids is implemented in collaboration with the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI). The key objective is to enable children imbibe a sustainability mindset from an early age, thereby equipping them to become better stewards of the planet. The participating children are furnished with information on waste management, introduced to the conversion of waste to useful items, and are encouraged to adopt positive behavioral changes to enhance environmental sustainability.
In a statement announcing the start of the training at Sokoya Memorial Primary School, Sagamu, Ogun State, Victoria Uwadoka, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager of Nestlé Nigeria PLC said, “Equipping children with the right information to help them develop a sustainability mindset is a significant first step in ensuring more responsible management of waste in line with our shared vision of a waste free future.
“At Nestlé Nigeria, we are committed to protecting the environment for future generations. We are aware that children play a key role in achieving this objective. We are therefore delighted to collaborate with ICCDI, the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, the FCT and Ogun State Universal Basic Education Boards on the Sustainability Training for Kids”, she added.
On his part, founder of the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) said, “We are happy that more children are benefitting from this training. ICCDI will continue to do her part in ensuring that future generations are equipped with the requisite knowledge to enable them appreciate our planet and understand their responsibility and role towards protecting it”.
David Solarin, Director, Water Regulatory Enforcement and Advocacy, Ogun State Ministry of Environment who represented the Honorable Commissioner for the Ogun State Ministry of Environment said, “On behalf of the Honorable Commissioner and staff of the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, I applaud Nestlé Nigeria for this laudable initiative promoting sustainable environment-friendly practices within public primary schools in the state. The Ministry instituted the Environmental Management and Climate Change Club both in private and public secondary schools across the state in 2021, with the aim of raising environmentally conscious individuals who will become environment ambassadors for the state. We are glad that Nestlé is taking up this responsibility for the primary school space. The Ministry will continue to work with stakeholders especially the private sector, for a clean, safe and hygienic environment”.
To gain hands on experience, 50 children from Gadonasko Science Primary School and Dobi Primary School, both in Gwagwalada Abuja, visited Ecobarter, a sustainable waste management and solutions company on an excursion for further exposure on recycling, upcycling and more practical sessions.
Speaking on behalf of her classmates, Keziah Dabo, a primary 5 learner from Gadonasko Science Primary School, Gwagwalada said “We had an exciting time at Ecobarter, meeting the founder, Ms Rita and her team. It was an interesting experience to see the various stages of recycling, from the dropping point to separation and crushing, and then to the transformation! The part I really liked was the weaving loom where different materials like lunch boxes, shoes, bags and mats were made. We want to thank Nestlé and ICCDI for the opportunity to learn about recycling, reusing and reducing waste through the Sustainability Training and today’s Excursion to Ecobarter”.
Nestlé Sustainability Training for Kids, implemented in Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) beneficiary schools, is one of the initiatives from Nestlé Nigeria to support the company’s ambition of ensuring that none of its packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfills as littler, or in waterways, rivers or oceans. The annual training has reached over 2,000 children from fourteen of the N4HK beneficiary schools in Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory since its inception in 2021.
Nestlé for Healthier Kids is a flagship initiative which aims to help 50 million children globally, lead healthier lives by 2030.
In Nigeria, N4HK incorporates a school-based nutrition education program, which helps children imbibe healthy habits including good nutrition, active lifestyles through adequate physical activity, good hygiene practices and healthy hydration.
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diaspora engagement, advancing healthcare development in Nigeria through the introduction of its healthcare investment proposition to the Nigerian-American medical community at the 2026 ANPA Carolinas Symposium held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The ANPA Carolinas Symposium, hosted annually by the South Carolina and North Carolina Chapters of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), convenes over 170 physicians and healthcare professionals for medical and scientific dialogue on issues impacting communities across North America, the Caribbean, and Africa, particularly among people of Nigerian descent.
Speaking at the event, UBA’s Head of Diaspora Banking, Anant Rao, made a compelling case for structured diaspora participation in Nigeria’s healthcare transformation, encouraging attendees to expand their contribution beyond remittances toward long-term institution-building.
“The financial infrastructure required to connect your success abroad to sustainable institutional impact at home has not been intentionally designed for diaspora healthcare investors until now,” Rao said.
During his presentation, Rao introduced the ANPA–UBA Diaspora Healthcare Investment Platform — a professionally managed investment vehicle designed to channel diaspora capital into specialist hospitals, diagnostic centres, telemedicine infrastructure, and medical training institutions across Nigeria.
“Every dollar invested delivers a dual return — creating value for investors while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare future. We now have the regulatory framework, banking infrastructure, governance structures, and institutional commitment to make this possible,” he added.
Under the proposed structure, UBA will serve as custodian and structuring bank, while United Capital Asset Management, one of Nigeria’s leading asset managers with over ₦1.2 trillion in assets under management, will act as fund manager.
As part of deepening engagement with the Nigerian-American medical community, Rao also proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UBA and the two ANPA chapters. The proposed collaboration is anchored on six strategic pillars: preferred banking offerings for ANPA members; quarterly financial education sessions; the joint Healthcare Infrastructure Fund; a dedicated ANPA Wealth and Legacy Desk; access to group-rate family healthcare plans through Avon HMO; and a UBA co-matching contribution framework to support qualifying impact vehicles under the Pearl Endowment Fund.
The initiative represents a further expansion of UBA’s diaspora value proposition, which currently includes Non-Resident Nigerian (NRN) accounts in multiple currencies, fixed-income and dollar-denominated investment solutions through United Capital, elder-care trust solutions under the Homeland Anchor Care Trust programme in partnership with Avon HMO, and private wealth management offerings tailored to senior diaspora professionals.
The 2026 ANPA Carolinas Symposium marks another milestone in UBA’s strategic engagement with the diaspora community and reinforces the Bank’s long-held belief that diaspora capital can play a transformative role in accelerating healthcare and infrastructure development across Africa.
Business
One-Day MD/CEO Children’s Day Initiative: Wema Bank Makes Final Call for Submission of Entries
As the deadline of May 20, 2026, fast approaches, Wema Bank has announced the last call for submissions for children and teens interested in participating in becoming MD/CEO of Wema Bank for one day.
Launched in May 2025 as part of Wema Bank’s 80th anniversary celebration, the One-Day MD/CEO initiative was introduced by Wema Bank to commemorate Children’s Day in a uniquely unprecedented manner. Inspired by the Bank’s 80th anniversary theme “80 Years of Impact, A Future of Possibilities”, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative served as a bridge between past and future, giving children across Nigeria the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the MD/CEO of Wema Bank for one day—Children’s Day.
As 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah emerged winner, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative dominated the conversation on May 27, 2025, with children across Nigeria inspired to put in the work towards a successful future and parents commending the Bank’s consistent commitment to empowering children and helping them build the right future. This year, 2026, the Wema Bank One-Day MD/CEO initiative has returned on a larger scale.
For the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, Wema Bank will give another child or teenager [ages 0-16] a chance to step into the shoes of Managing Director/CEO of Wema Bank, for a day. The child will get to oversee board meetings, make tactical decisions, and experience firsthand the demands and responsibilities that come with the office of MD/CEO, especially for an institution like Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT.
To participate, children/teens are expected to record a 60-second video detailing what their ideal role in banking would be and what they hope to achieve. This video is to be posted on any social media platform using #EvolutionOfPossibilities and tagging @wemabank on the post. The post with the highest number of likes emerges winner and the winner gets to become MD/CEO of Wema Bank on Monday, May 25, 2026, in celebration of Children’s Day.
Both parents and teens are encouraged to hurry and make their submissions now as entry closes in less than two days, specifically on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
More details on the Bank’s social media platforms @wemabank
First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced the launch of its Naira Visa Debit Card, in partnership with Visa to extend accessible, reliable electronic payment capabilities to a broader segment of the Nigerian population.
The card is targeted at everyday consumers who require a dependable payment instrument for routine domestic and international transactions. Accepted across POS terminals, ATMs, and online platforms through Visa’s payments network, the Naira Visa Debit Card is designed to reduce friction for customers transitioning from cash to electronic payments across retail, utilities, and digital commerce.
The launch aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing drive toward a cashless economy, a policy direction that has gained significant momentum following successive Central Bank of Nigeria directives encouraging the adoption of electronic payment channels. The card is intended to serve customers across the country’s diverse economic segments.
Speaking on the launch, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, eBusiness & Retail Products, FirstBank, said: “Everyday transactions should be simple, secure, and rewarding. The Naira Visa Debit Card is designed to make life easier for our customers, whether they are paying for groceries, settling utility bills, or shopping online. By extending reliable electronic payment access across Nigeria, we are helping more people transition confidently from cash to digital payments, supporting the nation’s cashless policy and empowering communities with greater financial inclusion.”
Commenting on the strategic importance of the partnership, Andrew Uaboi, Vice President and Cluster Head, West Africa, Visa, noted: “A strong payments ecosystem is one that works for everyone. The Naira Visa Debit Card extends reliable electronic payment access to everyday Nigerian consumers, and this in addition to the cards in our portfolio continues to demonstrate what a truly comprehensive card portfolio looks like for the Nigerian market. Visa is proud to power this offering with FirstBank.”
The launch of the Naira Visa Debit Card broadens Visa card portfolio at FirstBank that already includes products spanning credit cards and High-end premium lifestyle spending cards. The addition completes its offering across customer segments, ensuring that cardholders at every income level have access to a product suited to their needs.
The Naira Visa Debit Card is available to all eligible FirstBank account holders through any of the bank’s branches nationwide.
