Photo caption:L-R: Relationship Manager, Fidelity Bank Plc, Murtala Muhammed Road Branch, Kano, Victor Ngwu; Export Management Programme (EMP 19) participant, Abayomi Adewuyi; Facilitator, Gemma Ejiofor; Senior Fellow and Head, Department of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Mgt., Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Uche Attoh; Director, Export Management Programme, LBS, Prof. Frank Ojadi; and Team Lead, Export & Agriculture, Fidelity Bank Plc, Emmanuel Nwalor, during the closing ceremony of the 19th edition of the Fidelity Bank Export Management Programme (EMP 19) held recently at Lagos Business School, Lagos.

Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda through capacity building and export development, as it hosted the 19th edition of its Export Management Programme (EMP) at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Ajah, Lagos recently.Tagged EMP 19, the programme is an intense hands-on export management workshop, organized as a partnership between Fidelity Bank, Lagos Business School and Nigerian Export Promotion Council, brought together entrepreneurs, professionals, regulators and aspiring exporters for intensive training designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and networks required to compete successfully in international markets.Speaking at the closing ceremony, Divisional Head, Export and Agriculture, Fidelity Bank Plc, Isaiah Ndukwe, said the bank remains focused on empowering Nigerian businesses to leverage emerging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and expand the country’s non-oil export base.”At Fidelity Bank, we recognize that capacity building is critical to unlocking Nigeria’s export potential. Through the Export Management Programme, we are equipping businesses with practical knowledge, market intelligence and strategic insights required to compete successfully in regional and global markets,” Ndukwe said.“As AfCFTA continues to open new frontiers for trade across Africa, our goal is to ensure that Nigerian exporters are adequately prepared to seize these opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic diversification agenda,” he added.Nwalor further noted that the bank remains committed to providing exporters with the financial solutions, advisory support and strategic partnerships necessary to expand their businesses beyond Nigeria’s borders.Also speaking, Director of the Export Management Programme at Lagos Business School, Professor Frank Ojadi, highlighted the need for continuous capacity development as international trade continues to evolve.”The export market is always evolving. There are changes in policies, improvements in processes and increasing interest from businesses. These developments make it necessary to build the capabilities of our people to compete effectively in export markets,” Ojadi said.According to him, this year’s programme placed significant emphasis on AfCFTA, exposing participants to both the fundamentals and practical aspects of leveraging the continental trade agreement for business growth.”Many businesses are still learning how to take advantage of AfCFTA. Through this programme, participants gained practical insights that will help them navigate opportunities across African markets and beyond,” he added.In his remarks, Senior Fellow and Head of the Department of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Management at Lagos Business School, Dr. Uche Attoh, emphasized the importance of negotiation and dispute resolution skills in international trade.”It is negotiation that enables businesses to establish deals, while arbitration helps resolve disputes when they arise. Once participants understand the principles, they can apply them in any business environment, whether in Africa, Europe or America,” Attoh said.Participants described the programme as impactful and transformative. Assistant Director at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Obinna Oforum, said the training strengthened his resolve to become an “export champion”.Similarly, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Orji Samuel, praised Fidelity Bank and Lagos Business School for subsidizing the programme and creating an enabling platform for practical learning, noting that the knowledge gained would help participants navigate export challenges and unlock new business opportunities.The Export Management Programme is Fidelity Bank’s flagship capacity-building initiative aimed at developing export-ready businesses and professionals capable of driving Nigeria’s non-oil export growth. Through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions, the Bank continues to play a leading role in supporting businesses, facilitating trade and creating pathways for sustainable economic development.Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving more than 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 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award for MSME support; Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers; Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards. The Bank also received the inaugural Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award by Nairametrics, the SME Bank of the Year award by NewsDirect, and the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Excellence Award by Citi Group, in addition to recognition by Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.

Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc (2nd L); Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, Chairman, Board of Directors, Fidelity Bank Plc (4th L); Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc (6th L); and Dr (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, First Lady of Anambra State (2nd R), with the beneficiaries at the Fidelity Bank Empowerment Programme organized in partnership with Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Foundation, held in Awka, Anambra State recently.

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable social impact and economic inclusion through the empowerment of women and schoolchildren in Anambra State.

The landmark intervention, held recently in Awka during the 2026 Fidelity Empowerment Programme, featured the distribution of 200 sewing and grinding machines to women entrepreneurs, N25 million in seed capital support, 1,500 food packs to vulnerable households, and 250 solar-powered school bags to schoolchildren. The initiative was implemented in partnership with Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, a Non-Governmental Organisation led by the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, described the programme as a reflection of the Bank’s enduring commitment to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for sustainable growth.

According to the bank’s CEO, the initiative marked the first time that three of Fidelity Bank’s flagship social impact initiatives—the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, Lighting Young Minds Programme, and Give Her Power Initiative—were brought together under a single intervention platform; and Anambra State is the first beneficiary.

“Today is more than an empowerment event; it is a demonstration of our belief that meaningful progress begins when people are given the tools and opportunities to succeed. At Fidelity Bank, our purpose goes beyond banking. We are committed to helping individuals realize their aspirations, overcome challenges, and build better lives. When communities thrive, businesses thrive; when families prosper, societies become stronger; and when people are empowered, possibilities become endless,” she stated.

Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe further noted that the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative continues to provide critical support to vulnerable households across Nigeria, particularly during a period of economic challenges affecting many families.

“Access to food remains a basic human need. By supporting vulnerable families, we are restoring dignity, strengthening resilience, and fostering greater social inclusion within our communities,” she added.

Speaking on the Lighting Young Minds Programme, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe explained that the solar-powered school bags distributed to pupils are designed to enhance learning outcomes by providing a reliable source of light for studying after dark, especially in communities with limited access to electricity.

The programme also featured the Give Her Power Initiative, through which women received vocational tools and financial support aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing household income, and advancing women’s economic participation.

In her remarks, the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, commended Fidelity Bank for its unwavering commitment to uplifting vulnerable groups and investing in community development.

“We gather today, not merely to distribute items or celebrate another social impact initiative, but to reaffirm a simple truth: when we invest in people, we invest in the future. Every woman supported, every child empowered, and every family assisted represents a step towards building a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous Anambra State,” she said.

Mrs. Soludo expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for aligning with the vision of empowering communities and improving lives through impactful interventions.

“Beyond the empowerment items being distributed today, Fidelity Bank is investing in human potential, family stability, and community development. This partnership demonstrates the important role socially responsible organisations can play in advancing sustainable development and improving the quality of life of the people they serve,” she added.

The Fidelity Empowerment Programme forms part of Fidelity Bank’s broader commitment to driving positive social impact across Nigeria through targeted interventions in education, economic empowerment, food security, health, and community development.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving more than 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 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award for MSME support; Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers; Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards. The Bank also received the inaugural Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award by Nairametrics, the SME Bank of the Year award by NewsDirect, and the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Excellence Award by Citi Group, in addition to recognition by Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.

Caption:Polaris Bank Financial Literacy Session at Community Day Secondary School, Tsaski Yan’albasa, Charanchi LGA, Katsina State, during Global Money Week 2026.

Lagos, Nigeria — As part of its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, financial inclusion, and building a financially responsible generation, Polaris Bank Limited held an impactful Financial Literacy Day session at Community Day Secondary School, Tsaski Yan’albasa, in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State. The event, which took place on June 9, 2026, formed part of the Bank’s activities to commemorate Global Money Week (GMW).
The interactive session reached and impacted 90 students and 10 teachers, providing practical insights into savings, budgeting, responsible spending, banking essentials, financial goal-setting, peer influence, and informed decision-making from an early age. It forms part of Polaris Bank’s sustained participation in Global Money Week, a global campaign that equips pupils and young people with knowledge on money management, savings, entrepreneurship, literacy and economic citizenship, while supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) financial and inclusion goals.
The Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Mr. Kayode Lawal, emphasised the strategic importance of these initiatives: “At Polaris Bank, we believe financial literacy is one of the most important foundations for building a responsible and economically empowered generation. When young people understand the value of savings, budgeting and responsible financial choices early in life, they are better positioned to manage opportunities, avoid poor money decisions and contribute meaningfully to the economy.”
He added that the Bank’s involvement in Global Money Week underscores its long-term dedication to financial inclusion, youth development, and community impact: “For us, this is not just about teaching students how to save money. It is about helping them understand the relationship between discipline, planning, financial responsibility and future success. We will continue to support platforms that take financial education closer to young people, especially in communities where early exposure can make a lasting difference.”
The session at the Polaris CEO adopted school, featured expert-led modules. It began with an overview of Global Money Week and the importance of a strong savings culture, anchored by Mr. Patrick Sule. Topics included the role of the CBN in the financial sector, financial discipline, goal-setting, and smart spending habits.
The session continued with focused discussions on banking essentials and managing peer influence, highlighting how banks help individuals protect, manage, and grow their money, while encouraging young people to make independent and responsible financial choices amid lifestyle pressures. Another segment addressed financial responsibility and legitimate ways young people can earn and manage money, stressing that building strong financial habits early significantly supports their personal and educational goals.
Representing the Polaris Bank MD/CEO at the advocacy outreach, Mr. Dahiru Tukur, Group Head, Kano Group, Polaris Bank, delivered regulatory insights in simple and accessible terms. He also led an interactive “Smart Money Talk” session to reinforce the key lessons from the day.
“The decisions you make with money today, no matter how small, can shape your future. Learning how to save, spend wisely and avoid negative financial pressure is a major step toward becoming responsible and independent adults. Polaris Bank is proud to be part of this journey with you,” he said.
To connect theory with practice, the session featured an introduction to the Polaris Young Achievers account, outlining its benefits for fostering early savings habits, along with account-opening requirements and suitable product options. The programme concluded with a lively question-and-answer (Q &A) segment, where students showed keen interest, followed by the distribution of branded gift items to reinforce the learning experience.
Samaila Umar Sanda, Principal of Community Day Secondary School, praised the Bank’s practical and relatable approach: “Programmes like this help student connect classroom learning with real-life financial decisions. By engaging them early, Polaris Bank is helping to build a generation that understands money, values savings and can make better economic choices. We are grateful to Polaris Bank for bringing this important programme to our school. The lessons shared today are practical and timely. Our students have learnt that money management starts with discipline, planning and the right attitude.”
This engagement reinforces Polaris Bank’s role as a responsible corporate citizen dedicated to education, youth development, financial inclusion, and sustainable community impact. Through Global Money Week and similar initiatives, the Bank continues to advance national efforts to equip young Nigerians with essential skills for informed financial decisions and active participation in the formal economy.
This initiative aligns with Polaris Bank’s commitment to the UNEP-FI (United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative) Principles for Responsible Banking, particularly Principle 3 (Clients & Customers) and the dedicated Commitment to Financial Health and Inclusion. By promoting financial literacy and education among young people, the Bank supports universal financial inclusion, helps individuals build financial resilience, and contributes to a more financially healthy and empowered society.
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