Brand & Business

Fidelity Bank Plc Wins 2025 DBN Innovation Award for MSME Support

–Fidelity Bank logo By St. Johnson Adegboyega  In recognition of its exceptional contributions to innovative financial solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc has been awarded the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank (DMB) category. This prestigious accolade celebrates Fidelity Bank’s commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by MSMEs, a vital segment in… []

CBN Reassures Public on Banking Sector Stability

— File photo of CBN office By St. Johnson Adegboyega  The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to certain publications and social media reports containing misleading information regarding the operations of a regulated financial institution. The CBN wishes to categorically reassure the public, depositors, and stakeholders that the Nigerian banking sector remains resilient, safe, and sound. Like all other regulated… []

Fidelity Emerges Fastest Growing Brand as Value More Than Triples– Wasiu Alli

  –– By Wasiu Alli Fidelity Bank Nigeria has emerged as the fastest-growing Nigerian brand as the lender’s value more than tripled, displacing Stanbic IBTC, a new report by Brand Finance, a London-based brand valuation consultancy revealed. The bank’s emergence highlights the lender’s expanding market influence and strong investor confidence as the financial institution continues to deliver value for its customers amid tough economic conditions…. []

Fidelity Bank CEO’s Share Acquisition Signals Strong Confidence in Tier-One Lender

— Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe By St. Johnson Adegboyega  In a decisive move underscoring unwavering confidence in Fidelity Bank Plc’s resilience, Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe has acquired an additional 18 million shares of the bank, valued at approximately ₦366 million. According to a regulatory filing posted on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) Disclosures portal, this strategic investment was executed… []

Access Bank Retains Title as Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand for Fourth Consecutive Year

— Access Bank By St. Johnson Adegboyega  Access Bank PLC has once again emerged as Nigeria’s most valuable brand, securing the top position for the fourth consecutive year in the latest “Nigeria 25 2025” ranking by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. This achievement reaffirms Access Bank’s sustained brand leadership and its impact on the financial landscape through innovation, customer-centricity, and strategic growth…. []

With ₦193.5 Billion Tech Investment, Access Holdings Sets Benchmark in Fraud Prevention

  By St. Johnson Adegboyega As global financial fraud surges to over $485 billion in annual losses, Access Holdings PLC is setting a new standard in Africa’s banking industry through aggressive and strategic investment in technology aimed at combating the growing threat. With Nigeria’s financial sector experiencing a spike in digital fraud, particularly through mobile and online channels, Access Holdings has emerged as a front-runner… []

Access Bank Secures DFIs’ USD 100 Million Facility led by German DEG for MSMEs and Gender Equality in Nigeria

— L-R: Roland Siller, Chief Executive Officer, DEG, and Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, at the signing of a USD 100 million senior loan facility to support Nigerian MSMEs, small corporates, and women-led businesses, held on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire… recently. By St. Johnson Adegboyega  Access Bank Plc has successfully closed a USD 100 million… []

“Buy Africa, it’s not inferior”: Ogbonna, Mene, Zubairu Chart Path for Developing Continental Trade at Africa CEO Forum

— L-R: Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA; Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Trudi MAKHAYA, Partner, BCG, and Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank, shortly after their conversation on ‘Fast-tracking African Integration: The Private Sector Imperative’, held at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire… recently. At the Africa CEO Forum, leaders from across the continent gathered to discuss… []

Fidelity Bank Reclaims Trillion-naira Market Cap as Stock Rises to ₦21

By St. Johnson Adegboyega  Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reentered the trillion-naira market capitalisation club, after its share price rose by 5.3%, climbing from ₦19.95 to ₦21.00 on May 13, 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). This latest development also brings the total number of Nigerian companies with a trillion-naira market capitalisation to 19. According to a report published… []

Global Money Week: Unity Bank Deepens Commitment to Financial Literacy with Nationwide Youth Outreach

— Global Money Week: Representative of Unity Bank MD, Mr. William Odigie, Zonal Head South- South, South East addressing students at Boys Model Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State   By St. Johnson Adegboyega  In demonstration of its commitment to financial empowerment targeting Youths, Unity Bank Plc has again championed the cause of financial literacy by facilitating Training in 13 secondary schools across Nigeria to commemorate… []

Fidelity Bank grows PBT by 167.8% to N105.8 billion in Q1 2025

Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc By St. Johnson Adegboyega Fidelity Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading Tier-1 financial institutions, has announced a remarkable financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, recording a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N105.8 billion, representing an impressive growth of 167.8% compared to N39.5 billion in Q1 2024. The bank’s unaudited financial statements, released on the Nigerian Exchange… []

Unity Bank Launches GenFi, Targets Children, Teens with Gamified Banking Platform

  By St. Johnson Adegboyega  In a bold move to redefine promotion of financial literacy, Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, has unveiled GenFi, a new digital banking platform tailored to empower kids and teenagers between the ages of 8 and 18 with essential financial skills. The launch follows a report by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which found that only 38% of Nigerian adults… []

Okobi, Esomeju, Otaigbe Join Global Leaders to Discuss Sustainable Finance, Economic Transition at UNEP FI’s Regional Roundtable

  — By Adeola Idris As part of its continued commitment to sustainability, Access Holdings PLC will be amongst the leading participants in the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Regional Roundtable on Sustainable Finance for Africa and Middle East. Taking place from May 6-7, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco, the event will bring together regulators, policymakers, and key stakeholders from the financial sector… []

Zenith Bank Fetes Shareholders With Dividend Payout Of N195.67 Billion, Promises Qnantum Leap In Future Dividends

L-R: Executive Director, Mr. Adamu Lawani; Executive Director, Mr. Akin Ogunranti; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON; Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR; Executive Director, Mrs. Adobi Nwapa; Executive Director, Mr. Henry Oroh; and Executive Director, Mr. Louis Odom during the 34th Annual General Meeting of Zenith Bank Plc held at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos Shareholders of Zenith… []

Kano Residents Benefit from Fidelity Food Bank Initiative

  –– Fidelity Bank logo By St. Johnson Adegboyega Over 1,500 residents have benefited from a Fidelity Food Bank outreach in Kabuga community, Dala Local Government Area of Kano state. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, executed in partnership with Misnoory Foundation, saw staff of the bank distribute essential food items to support people during the holy month of Ramadan. Commenting on the distribution event,… []

MTN Nigeria Joins First Bank, Dangote Group Relocates Headquarters To Eko Atlantic

–– MTN  By Adeola ldris MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest mobile network operator, is building its new headquarters in Eko Atlantic, joining a growing list of large firms relocating to the 10-square-kilometer city, including First Bank and Dangote Group. The United States Embassy is also developing a new diplomatic facility in Eko Atlantic, drawn by its promise of high-end infrastructure, modern office spaces, and a… []

Dangote Group Pays N402.3B Tax To Govt In 2024

— Aliko Dangote By St. Johnson Adegboyega The Pan African Conglomerate Dangote Industries Limited, (Dangote Group), and its subsidiaries has disclosed that it paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country. Dangote’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, declared during a meeting with some senior media executives who visited him in his Lagos Office that Dangote… []

Polaris Bank Provides Free Breast Cancer Screening for 250 Nigerian Women

  — Polaris Bank logo (file) By Bunmi Onakan Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading digital retail commercial Bank, has announced the sponsorship of free breast cancer screening for 250 Nigerian women, in commemoration of 2024 October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This initiative underscores Polaris Bank’s unwavering commitment to women’s health and is part of the Bank’s long-standing efforts and intervention to support breast cancer awareness behavioral… []

Wema Bank Launches MyTeacherMyHero Challenge to Celebrate Exceptional Educators in Nigeria

By Bunmi Onakan As the world celebrates the invaluable contributions of teachers on World Teachers’ Day, Wema Bank proudly joins this global recognition by launching the #MyTeacherMyHero Challenge to honor and reward exceptional educators in Nigeria. This initiative aligns with the bank’s commitment to the theme, “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education.” Abimbola Agbejule, Head of Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, shares… []

How Nigerian Fintech Lost ₦146 Million initially Recovered From Fraudsters

—- Nigeria Fintech  By St. Johnson Adegboyega  Fraud recovery is an important part of the financial services sector, but sometimes, the funds recovered by fintechs and banks can also be lost to fraudsters. Financial institutions in Nigeria needs to adapt as bad actors continue to follow the money. In the first quarter of 2024, financial institutions reported 11,472 fraud cases in Nigeria. When fraud occurs, banks… []