By Ayomide Otitoju
Tier-one lender Fidelity Bank Plc has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Nigerian businesses for global competitiveness, with a focus on expanding non-oil exports. The pledge was restated at the 2025 Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC), held over the weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.
In her address, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, described FNITCC as a strategic extension of the bank’s vision to empower local enterprises. She noted that the initiative, now in its fourth year, had evolved from providing exporters with capacity-building support to creating an international platform for trade.
“FNITCC is a vision that has come a long way. We started by equipping Nigerian exporters with foundational knowledge through programs with the Lagos Business School. Today, this platform showcases them to the world,” Onyeali-Ikpe said. “Our goal has always been to help transition Nigeria from an oil-dependent economy to one driven by diversified, non-oil exports.”
She highlighted FNITCC’s role in connecting buyers and sellers, stressing the value of direct engagement in building trust. “At this event, we have a wide range of buyers—from major retailers to small distributors. Fidelity Bank has emerged as the leading bank in non-oil exports from the agricultural sector,” she added.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, welcoming FNITCC to the city, underscored the shared legacies and economic synergies between Atlanta and Africa. “This conference presents a unique opportunity for thought leaders from both regions to collaborate. Our ties—spanning civil rights history to shared strengths in logistics, finance, and the creative industries—lay a strong foundation for trade and investment,” he said.
The third edition of FNITCC Atlanta featured panel sessions, exhibitions, deal rooms, and a gala dinner, spotlighting Nigeria’s non-oil export potential and opportunities in the U.S. market.
As part of broader bilateral engagements, a Lagos State delegation visited the Georgia State Capitol. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared Lagos “open for business,” proposing a sister-city partnership with Atlanta to deepen investment and cultural ties.
Fidelity Bank serves over 9.1 million customers across 251 branches and multiple digital platforms in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The bank has received several awards, including Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria (Euromoney Awards for Excellence, 2024) and Export Financing Bank of the Year (BusinessDay BAFI Awards).
