By Ayomide Otitoju
Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment with the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with several partner organisations at the launch of its “Give Her Power” initiative, a programme designed to equip Nigerian women with practical skills, mentorship, tools and financial knowledge.
The partnerships were formalised as part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2026 and bring together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including LUSH Hair, Barbergirl Academy School of Barbering, Dee ‘n’ Ell the Shoe Architect, Inter-Bau Foundation, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) and One Universe.
The collaboration is anchored on the bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, a structured platform designed to provide vocational training, business support and sustainable enterprise opportunities for women across various sectors.
Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to creating opportunities that enable women to achieve financial independence and build sustainable businesses.
“At Fidelity Bank, we strongly believe that empowering women is not only a social responsibility but also a powerful economic strategy. Through the ‘Give Her Power’ initiative and the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, we are providing women with practical tools, vocational skills and financial knowledge that will enable them to move from effort to earnings and from hustle to sustainable enterprise,” she said.
According to Onyeali-Ikpe, the programme will deliver a range of interventions throughout March, including the distribution of 1,000 sewing and grinding machines to support women-led microbusinesses. The initiative will also provide vocational training in areas such as automobile mechanics, interior decoration, barbing, hair making and shoe making.
Other components of the programme include professional headshot sessions to strengthen women’s personal and professional brands, mentorship engagements with leading female entrepreneurs and hands-on training in skills such as makeup artistry, nail care and traditional headgear tying.
She noted that empowering women economically generates broader societal benefits.
“When women are empowered economically, the impact extends far beyond individuals. It strengthens families, grows businesses and uplifts entire communities. Research suggests that advancing women could add up to $12 trillion to global GDP. This reinforces the need to deliberately create platforms that support women to build sustainable businesses and strengthen their economic independence,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment Commissioner, commended Fidelity Bank for promoting entrepreneurship and supporting women across the country.
She said the initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government’s efforts to build an inclusive economy where women have access to skills, mentorship and financial opportunities needed to succeed.
Similarly, the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Cecilia Dada, praised the bank for championing financial inclusion and economic independence for women.
“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty and strengthen communities. We commend Fidelity Bank for this forward-thinking initiative and for demonstrating how collaboration between the private sector and government can create meaningful opportunities for women across the state,” she said.
Representatives of the partner organisations also welcomed the collaboration, noting that the initiative would help expand vocational training opportunities and strengthen entrepreneurship among women.
The Give Her Power initiative is expected to empower hundreds of women through skill development, mentorship and start-up support, reinforcing the role of women as key contributors to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Fidelity Bank currently serves more than 10 million customers through its digital platforms, a network of 255 business offices across Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has also received several local and international recognitions for its innovation and contributions to the financial sector. Among them are the Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award at the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards (BAFI) 2024, the Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application Award for its Fidelity Mobile App from Global Business Outlook, and the Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider Award from Global Brands Magazine.
Additionally, the bank was named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and recognised as Export Financing Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards.
