Fidelity Bank empowers Ikorodu women under Give Her Power initiative

Fidelity Bank Plc has expanded its flagship women empowerment programme, “Give Her Power”, to Ikorodu, extending targeted support to women at the grassroots level as part of its broader financial inclusion and enterprise development strategy.

The Ikorodu activation, which represents the third phase of the initiative’s nationwide rollout, saw over 30 women receive vocational tools aimed at strengthening small-scale businesses and improving household income. Items distributed included 12 sewing machines and 15 grinding machines, alongside other business-support equipment, with beneficiaries drawn from Ikorodu Central, Ikorodu West, and Ikorodu North Local Government Areas.

Speaking at the event, the Regional Bank Head, Victoria Island, Mr. Nnamdi Edekobi, who represented the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, stated that the programme is designed to deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes rather than symbolic interventions.

“The Give Her Power initiative is intentionally designed to go beyond symbolic gestures. Our goal is to equip women with the tools and resources they need to build sustainable businesses, generate income, and create better opportunities for themselves and their families,” he said.

Also addressing stakeholders, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communication at Fidelity Bank, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, described the Ikorodu outreach as a deliberate effort to bridge economic gaps by targeting underserved women within local communities. He emphasised that empowering women at the grassroots level remains central to the bank’s long-term development agenda.

According to him, the initiative will continue to expand across other regions, including the South-East, South-South, and Northern Nigeria, ensuring broader access to enterprise support systems.

“When women are empowered financially, the ripple effect is felt across families, communities, and the broader national economy,” Nwagboh noted.

The “Give Her Power” initiative was initially launched in Lagos through partnerships with organisations such as 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. It is anchored on the bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, which integrates vocational training, mentorship, business advisory services, and access to enterprise opportunities.

Prior to the Ikorodu phase, the initiative had been implemented in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where 100 women received 50 sewing machines and 50 grinding machines at an event held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, further reinforcing the bank’s commitment to scaling impact across multiple states.

The Ikorodu outreach also drew participation from key government and community stakeholders, including the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Prince Adedayo Ladega; Executive Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju; and Executive Chairman of Imota LCDA, Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele, highlighting growing institutional support for women-focused economic programmes.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hassan Bukola from Ikorodu North LCDA, described the intervention as transformative, noting that access to productive tools would significantly improve her earning capacity.

“This sewing machine is a life-changing opportunity for me. It will help me grow my business and better support my family,” she said.

With the successful execution of the Ikorodu phase, Fidelity Bank is positioning the “Give Her Power” initiative as a key pillar within its broader sustainability and inclusion framework, aimed at fostering economic resilience among women-led micro and small enterprises.

Ranked among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 9.1 million customers through its digital platforms, 255 business offices nationwide, and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank has received multiple recognitions, including awards for digital transformation, MSME banking, mobile banking innovation, and SME support, reinforcing its positioning within Nigeria’s evolving financial services landscape.