By Ayomide Otitoju
Fidelity Bank Plc has reinforced its support for youth empowerment and sports development as the headline sponsor of the second edition of the Gymfest Championship held over the weekend in Lagos.
The rapidly expanding gymnastics competition featured children aged 3 to 12 competing across levels 1 to 7, attracting young athletes, parents, schools, clubs and corporate partners dedicated to nurturing future talent and advancing the sport of gymnastics in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank, said the championship aligns with the bank’s broader mission to provide platforms that help young Nigerians reach their full potential.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe sports are a powerful tool for transformation. They instill discipline, sharpen focus and foster teamwork — qualities that strengthen communities and drive national development,” he said.
He added that the bank is proud to support Gymfest for its role in promoting physical excellence, building community bonds and inspiring national pride. “Gymfest is more than a competition; it motivates children to set ambitious goals and pursue them with dedication,” he said.
Yoyin Akpose, Co-founder of Gymfest and Founder of Tee Tumblers Gymnastics Club, said the long-term vision is to build a vibrant ecosystem of children, parents, clubs, schools and sponsors united by a shared passion for gymnastics.
“Our aim is to make gymnastics accessible to every child with a dream by establishing fully equipped centres across Surulere, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Apapa and beyond,” Akpose said. “GYMFEST is changing the narrative by offering a structured platform for talent development, international exposure and professional training.”
One of the highlights of the event was the outstanding performance of young gymnast Oluwatoni Pitan, who won the overall best gymnast title in the Level 2 Vault category. Expressing her excitement, she said: “I didn’t expect this at all. This is my first Level 2 competition, and it took me three weeks of preparation. I encourage other female gymnasts to work hard and stay consistent.”
She also thanked Fidelity Bank, the organisers and her parents for providing her the opportunity to showcase her talent.
Fidelity Bank’s partnership with Gymfest underscores its commitment to youth development and its continued investment in initiatives that support sports, education and community growth.
Ranked among Nigeria’s top commercial banks, Fidelity Bank serves more than 9.1 million customers through digital channels, 255 business offices nationwide and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank has received several local and international awards for digital innovation, MSME support, mobile banking excellence and leadership in export financing.
