By Ayomide Otitoju
Fidelity Bank Plc has expanded its “Give Her Power” initiative to Ogun State, equipping 100 women with vocational tools aimed at enhancing economic independence and increasing household income.
The intervention forms part of the bank’s nationwide rollout of the programme, launched in March during the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with partner organisations to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day.
At an event held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, the bank distributed 50 sewing machines and 50 grinding machines to women engaged in microbusinesses across the state. The programme drew participation from market leaders, community stakeholders, and government officials, including the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo.
Speaking at the event, the Regional Bank Head, Southwest 1, Fidelity Bank Plc, Folaranmi Jemirin, said the outreach aligns with the bank’s commitment to delivering practical and sustainable empowerment initiatives.
He noted that the programme is designed to provide inclusive support that delivers measurable impact, adding that empowering women economically has far-reaching benefits for families, businesses, and communities.
Jemirin explained that the “Give Her Power” initiative is anchored on the bank’s women-focused proposition, HerFidelity, which offers financial literacy, business support, vocational training, mentorship, and wellness programmes for women-led enterprises.
He further disclosed that the bank has scaled its women-focused interventions nationwide, including the distribution of 1,000 vocational tools, the rollout of the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0, financial literacy sessions for girls, mentorship engagements, and hands-on skills training.
Describing the initiative as a vote of confidence in the beneficiaries, Jemirin urged participants to make productive use of the tools to drive business growth and create value within their communities.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adeleye-Oladapo, commended the initiative, describing it as a shift from symbolic celebrations to tangible empowerment.
She said the programme complements the Ogun State Government’s efforts under Governor Dapo Abiodun to advance women’s economic empowerment, adding that its long-term impact would be reflected in improved livelihoods and community development.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a commercial deposit money bank serving over 10 million customers through digital channels, 255 business offices in Nigeria, and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received several recognitions, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation and MSME Banking Award by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award by Global Business Outlook, and the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria award by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence.
