Event
Wema Bank celebrates 80 years of pioneering banking in Nigeria
Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, Wema Bank, marks its 80th anniversary, celebrating decades of innovation, customer empowerment, and its groundbreaking digital platform, ALAT.
Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, Wema Bank, marks its 80th anniversary, celebrating decades of innovation, customer empowerment, and its groundbreaking digital platform, ALAT
Wema Bank, the innovative force behind Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, proudly commemorates its 80th anniversary today, Friday, May 2nd, 2025.
Also read: Wema Bank set to celebrate 80 years of indigenous innovation in Lagos
Founded on this day in 1945 as Agbonmagbe Bank Limited, Wema Bank has evolved from a single-branch operation focused on empowering indigenous Nigerians into a leading financial institution renowned for its customer-centric approach and transformative impact on Nigeria’s banking sector.
Over the past eight decades, Wema Bank has been instrumental in bridging financial access gaps, empowering businesses with tailored solutions, and driving growth across various industries.
With a strong presence through over 150 branches and its revolutionary ALAT App, the bank continues to redefine banking for millions of customers.
Moruf Oseni, the MD/CEO of Wema Bank, expressed his profound gratitude to all stakeholders, stating, “Wema at 80 is a milestone that extends deeply into the very roots of the industry, the people and the nation.
Wema at 80 is a milestone that extends deeply into the very roots of the industry, the people and the nation.” – Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO of Wema Bank
This is an 80-year-old bank that began to set the pace for indigenous businesses in the depths of colonial rule and has remained resolute in carrying on that mission since 1945, showing the world that ‘Nigerian-owned’ can last, and institutions can be agents of transformation in their own capacity. It’s a journey I am deeply proud of and I cannot celebrate alone.”
He further emphasized the bank’s unwavering commitment, adding, “Wema Bank is built to last, Wema Bank is built for you and Wema Bank will never relent in delivering optimum value to you.
It has been 80 years of impact, and as we look ahead to a future of limitless possibilities, our promise to you remains the same. We Are With You, All The Way!”
The 80th-anniversary celebrations culminate in a grand ‘Timeless Elegance’ Gala Night in Lagos at 6 p.m. today, featuring performances by Afrobeats icons Davido and Wande Coal, Fuji legend Ayuba, vocal powerhouse Yinka Davies, 9ice, and a host of other prominent figures.
The event will be broadcast live from 7 p.m. on Wema Bank’s YouTube Channel and select national TV stations, allowing everyone to partake in this historic milestone.
Organisers of Real Talk With Kike have unveiled a high-profile lineup of speakers for the programme’s seventh anniversary celebration, which will also commemorate ace broadcaster Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati’s more than 20-year journey in the Nigerian media industry.
The milestone event will hold on October 10, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, bringing together leaders from government, business, media and culture for conversations on Nigeria’s future.
Leading the keynote sessions are Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, and Mr Vlassis Liakouris, Group Managing Director of Mandilas Group Limited.
Also confirmed as distinguished speakers are Mr Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director of Sahara Group, and Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Founder of Rise Network, while Mrs Bola Adesola, Chairman of the Board of Ecobank Nigeria, will deliver the goodwill message.
The speakers will engage the theme, “The Future of Nigeria: Where Leadership, Innovation, Culture and Media Converge to Shape Nation Building,” exploring how governance, enterprise, innovation and storytelling can shape national development.
According to the organisers, the theme reflects the philosophy that has defined Real Talk With Kike over the past seven years as a platform for meaningful conversations on leadership, society, business, relationships, culture and contemporary issues affecting Nigeria.
For Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, the celebration marks two significant milestones. Beyond the programme’s seventh anniversary, it also celebrates more than two decades of broadcasting, making the occasion a tribute to longevity, impact and the power of dialogue.
The multidisciplinary speaker lineup mirrors the event’s nation-building focus. Hamzat is expected to share perspectives on public leadership and governance, while Adesina and Liakouris will discuss private-sector leadership, enterprise and innovation. Akerele-Ogunsiji will contribute insights on education, youth development and innovation, with Adesola bringing the perspective of corporate governance and financial-sector leadership.
The October gathering is expected to attract policymakers, business executives, media personalities, creatives and guests who have been part of the Real Talk With Kike journey since its inception, reinforcing its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for thought-provoking conversations.
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