Connect with us

Banking

Wema Bank makes 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah one-day CEO for Children’s Day

Published

on

Wema Bank Children's Day CEO

Wema Bank named 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah its One-Day MD/CEO for Children’s Day, a unique initiative to inspire future leaders and promote early financial literacy

In a special celebration for International Children’s Day 2025, Wema Bank Plc, Nigeria’s “most innovative bank” and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, appointed 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah as its One-Day Managing Director/CEO.

Also read: Wema Bank celebrates 80th anniversary, receives national commendation

This unique initiative, held on May 27, 2025, at the bank’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos, underscores Wema Bank’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of Nigerian leaders as it marks 80 years of legacy and impact.

Chiderije Mbah earned the coveted position after winning a social media challenge launched earlier in May.

His spirited video, where he articulated his dream of leading a bank and his vision for making finance more engaging and accessible for children, stood out among numerous entries.

The “One-Day Wema Bank MD/CEO” event was the highlight of a broader Children’s Day campaign.

This campaign encouraged children nationwide to post short videos, dressed in Wema Bank’s colors, describing their banking aspirations while either holding or opening a Royal Kiddies Account (for ages 0–12) or an ALAT Xplore Wallet (for teenagers 13–17).

The initiative effectively blended fun with purpose, introducing thousands of young Nigerians to early financial education and the power of ambitious dreaming.

This is the best day of my life. Wema Bank made me feel important. I am learning so much about being a leader and how banking works.

On Tuesday, Chiderije experienced a full day at the bank’s headquarters. He received a purple-carpet welcome, settled into the MD/CEO’s chair, embarked on a guided tour of the office, and even held an executive briefing session in the boardroom where he addressed senior bank executives.

“This is the best day of my life,” exclaimed Chiderije Mbah. “Wema Bank made me feel important. I am learning so much about being a leader and how banking works. I’ll tell all my friends to open a Wema Bank Royal Kiddies Account so they can also start learning how to save and maybe one day, they can be MD too!”

Moruf Oseni, Wema Bank’s substantive Managing Director/CEO, commented on the initiative, stating, “Our 80th anniversary is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going, knowing fully well that the future belongs to the young stars like Chiderije. Today’s activity is one of our ways of showing that we believe in the children, that we’re listening, and that we’re committed to helping them succeed financially, personally, and professionally all the way.”

This unforgettable experience reinforces Wema Bank’s vision for a future-ready Nigeria, emphasizing early financial inclusion and providing children with the tools, inspiration, and opportunities to thrive.

As Wema Bank celebrates eight decades of resilience and innovation, it remains focused on championing the dreams of tomorrow’s leaders, one child at a time.

 

4 / 100 SEO Score

Banking

BoI signs strategic partnership framework deal with German Int’l Agency to accelerate MSME growth

Published

on

By

Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigeria’s foremost Development finance institution and a globally recognised organisation specialising in international development cooperation with countries, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), on Wednesday April 15, 2026, signs a Partnership Framework Agreement to drive sustainable innovation and economic development for large enterprise, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Nigeria.

The partnership is hinged on delivering coordinated interventions across key strategic pillars including access to finance, entrepreneurship development, capacity building, and market access; and integrates focused support for climate finance and renewable energy investments; and a robust alignment with global sustainability priorities that enables MSMEs to be engines of economic development.

With this landmark agreement, BOI and GIZ are positioned to mutually ensure that capacity building efforts for businesses focuses on strengthening the technical and institutional capabilities of BOI’s Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs), equipping them to deliver higher-impact advisory services to the Bank’s customers; as well as enshrine a structured vocational training provided under the ICSS (Inspire, Create, Start and Scale) entrepreneurship programme to enhance productivity, workforce quality and overall business competitiveness to MSMEs.

The central pillar of this year’s partnership framework is its women’s economic empowerment through targeted financing initiatives; agribusiness development and rural enterprise growth; and climate-focused investment imperative to scale its renewable energy and energy efficiency financing portfolio.

BOI will strategically deepen its efforts to secure endorsement with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with support from GIZ, a German-led development agency.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, MD/CEO, Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said “This partnership is about closing the gap between enterprise potential and enterprise reality. Too many Nigerian businesses, particularly MSMEs, have the ideas, the drive, and the market opportunity, but lack the financing, technical capacity, or market access needed to scale. This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to constantly form new partnerships to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria. By combining our financing expertise with our partner’s international development experience, we are building a comprehensive framework that will directly translate into jobs, innovation, affordable, long-term financing and sustainable growth for MSMEs in Nigeria.”

In his remarks, Country Director, GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Magnus Wagner, said, “This partnership demonstrates our joint commitments to strengthening Nigeria’s private sector and to advancing sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

“Through this partnership, we aim to support small and medium enterprises. We are trying more to look at SME, formalized business, which is the resilient backbone of Nigeria’s economy. So, we would like to work, we have decided in areas such as climate and sustainable finance, renewable energy and energy efficiency, entrepreneurship and innovation, women’s economic empowerment, agribusiness and rural transformation, and digital trade and market access.

“We look forward to a close and successful collaboration with the Bank of Industry, one that delivers tangible results for business, communities, and the country and the population as a whole”.

48 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

Banking

Energy Experts Reject World Bank Fuel Import Plan

Published

on

Energy

Energy experts reject World Bank fuel import plan, warning it could weaken Nigeria’s refining drive and energy security goals

(more…)

70 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

Business

IMF Urges Cautious Rate Policy Amid Global Shock Risks

Published

on

IMF

IMF cautious monetary policy guidance 2026 urges central banks to stay patient as Middle East tensions and inflation risks reshape global outlook

(more…)

74 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

Trending News