Business
Unity Bank Yanga Product Positioned to Empower ‘Underbanked’ Women Entrepreneurs – Akinmade
Divisional Head, Retail, SME Banking and E-Business, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Olufunwa Akinmade has explained that the “raison d’etre for launching the Bank’s latest retail product called Yanga is to create a unique product proposition aimed at empowering the underbanked women entrepreneurs in Nigeria”.
Akinmade, who stated this during a chat with the media, citing a recent EFInA report, said that “there are 51 million Nigerian women above 18 years of age, with over 41% of the unbanked. Out of these figures, it is estimated that there are 14-18 million female entrepreneurs – mainly in the micro SME category”.
Recall that Unity Bank launched the women-focused Yanga account in November 2021 to promote financial inclusion and cater to unbanked women entrepreneurs across Nigeria in the MSME space.
Therefore, the new retail product is designed to deepen its beneficial impact on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs operated by women in the mass-market retail space.
According to Akinmade, “Recent research has shown that Nigeria has the highest number of women entrepreneurs in the world, with an estimated 40 million SMEs, of whom women constitute approximately 42%.
“These women have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they have the capacity to create wealth and contribute productively to the economy. However, a lot more needs to be done and it starts with empowering them with the right tools to harness this entrepreneurship potential.
“Currently, they face many institutional and cultural hurdles while starting or running their businesses. For instance, a recent report shows that only 22% of female entrepreneurs have access to finance against 34% of males.
“This is part of why we have introduced Yanga to bridge this gap while also narrowing the population of underbanked women entrepreneurs”.
Akinmade further explained that the Unity Yanga product will play a critical role in boosting financial inclusion and narrowing the underbanked women population as the account comes with a unique product proposition that includes an easy to operate and free to open a Savings account, with no identification required, customized debit card, dedicated sales officers.
He identified other unique features including special banking agents in each market location and quarterly Seminars at main market locations anchored by Unity Bank and its alliance partners.
“By rolling out this scheme across all geopolitical regions, Unity bank’s objective is to work assiduously towards reducing the huge numbers of underbanked women in the country,” he added.
A key part of the Yanga Product experience is (1) micro-loans and (2) HMO-offering
The micro-loan would be availed with time-tested Credit Policies, backed with technology-based credit scoring. These would help detect frivolous applications as well as reduce NPLs.
Yanga is available to all women entrepreneurs nationwide. The Bank is currently conducting market activations in strategic locations across the country with its brand ambassador, popular Nollywood actor, Sola Sobowale. So far, the Yanga activation train has been to Gombe, Akwa Ibom, and Ibadan and is currently in Lagos and en-route Port Harcourt.
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.
