Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing girls’s {economic} empowerment with the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with companion organisations on the launch of the {bank}’s “Give Her Power” initiative, a programme designed to equip Nigerian girls with sensible abilities, instruments, mentorship, and {financial} data.
The partnerships, formalised as a part of actions commemorating the 2026 International Women’s Day, convey collectively a various community of stakeholders: 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.
The collaboration is anchored on the Bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, a structured platform created to offer vocational coaching, enterprise assist, and sustainable enterprise alternatives for ladies throughout a number of sectors.
Speaking in the course of the occasion, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, highlighted that the {bank}’s ‘HerFidelity’ initiative displays Fidelity Bank’s continued dedication to creating alternatives that empower girls to attain {financial} independence and construct sustainable companies.
“At Fidelity Bank, we strongly believe that empowering women is not only a social responsibility but also a powerful economic strategy. Through the ‘Give Her Power’ initiative and the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, we are providing women with practical tools, vocational skills and financial knowledge that will enable them to move from effort to earnings and from hustle to sustainable enterprise.”
She defined that the programme will ship a variety of interventions all through the month of March, together with the distribution of 1,000 stitching and grinding machines to assist women-led microbusinesses, in addition to vocational coaching in car mechanics, inside ornament, barbing, hair making, and shoe making.
Other elements of the initiative embody skilled headshot periods to strengthen girls’s private {and professional} manufacturers, mentorship engagements with main feminine entrepreneurs, and hands-on talent acquisition coaching in areas reminiscent of make-up artistry, nail care, and conventional headgear tying.
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe additionally famous that empowering girls economically has ripple results that reach past particular person beneficiaries.
“When women are empowered economically, the impact extends far beyond individuals. It strengthens families, grows businesses, and uplifts entire communities. Research suggests that advancing women could add up to $12 trillion to global GDP. This reinforces the need to deliberately create platforms that support women to build sustainable businesses and strengthen their economic independence,” she added.
Applauding the {bank}’s initiative, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, recommended Fidelity Bank for its management in selling entrepreneurship and supporting girls throughout the nation.
“This initiative strongly aligns with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to building an inclusive economy where women have access to skills, mentorship and financial opportunities they need to thrive”, Ambrose-Medebem said.
Her phrases, “Women remain key drivers of commerce and enterprise across Lagos, from traditional markets to emerging digital sectors. This initiative by Fidelity Bank has ensured that we stayed true to the promoting and supporting women”.
Also talking on the occasion, the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, praised Fidelity Bank for championing {financial} inclusion and {economic} independence for ladies.
“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty and strengthen communities. We commend Fidelity Bank for this forward-thinking initiative and for demonstrating how collaboration between the private sector and government can create meaningful opportunities for women across the state,” she stated.
Representatives of the companion organisations additionally expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for the collaboration, noting that the partnership will play a major position in increasing vocational coaching alternatives and strengthening entrepreneurship amongst girls.
The Give Her Power initiative is predicted to empower lots of of girls by talent improvement, mentorship, and startup assist, whereas reinforcing the position of girls as key contributors to Nigeria’s {economic} progress.
Ranked among the many greatest banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million clients by digital banking channels, its 255 enterprise workplaces in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of a number of native and worldwide Awards, together with the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was acknowledged because the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and because the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
