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KPMG SME REPORT: FIRSTBANK NAMED BIGGEST MOVER IN 2019

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Written by Collins Nweze

Capital is crucial in driving sustainable Small and Medium Enterprises’(SMEs’) growth and uplifting the economy. First Bank of Nigeria Limited, as part of the launch of its specialised SMEs’ propositions, has continually supported SMEs through diverse initiatives. The bank says its support for SMEs is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive on improved funding for SMEs to ensure economic growth and development.

The economies of great nations thrive on the strength and performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) seen as engine of growth.

For Nigeria, the Central Bank (CBN) defines SMEs as enterprises with asset base (excluding land) of between N5 million and N500 million and labour force of 11 and 300 people.

The benefits of funding SMEs have attracted many banks with eye on the future to invest and support SMEs in the interest of the economy.

For SMEs to achieve these goals, operators’ easy access to credit must be promoted.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is one of the banks that is investing and supporting SMEs. Following research by the bank over the years, it identified these seven strategic pillars that are essential to the sustainability and growth of the SMEs.

These include access to infrastructure, access to talent, capacity building, policy and regulation, access to resources, access to market as well as access to finance.

The bank has also held its SMEs’ Week in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano and Owerri. The week-long event was rounded off with a live webinar, facilitated by Gbenga Shobo, the bank’s Deputy Managing Director.

According to Shobo, “FirstBank has, over the years, been at the forefront of supporting businesses, especially the SMEs, as we recognise that the SMEs are the engine of the economy.

We are committed to ensuring that we leave no stone unturned as we connect with them in their continued contribution to national development in terms of the employment opportunities they create as well as their contribution to the nation’s GDP amongst many economic values.

“The FirstBank SME Week is driven to promote the Bank’s SME proposition, thereby having SMEs across the country optimally enlightened on how to plug in. We believe this will help SMEs bolster their contribution to the growth and development of the economy.”

The 2019 Nigeria banking industry customer experience survey report recently published by KPMG Nigeria showed that in the retail segment, the top two performers have remained the same for the fourth consecutive year.

GTBank, Zenith Bank are top-rated bank in the 2019 ranking. Sterling Bank, FirstBank and UBA are the biggest movers in 2019, coming in third, fifth and seventh places.

Commitment to fashion and entrepreneurship

FirstBank sponsored the Sixth Africa Fashion Week, which held last December in Lagos.

The event themed ‘’Africa Unites’’ was a convergence of fashion entrepreneurs and the public to promote the creativity and innovation of Nigerian and African brands through worldwide visibility, distribution and manufacturing.

Dignitaries at the event include wives of the Ekiti, Ogun and Kwara state governors, Mrs Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun and Mrs Folake Abdulrazaq. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; former Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation,Mrs Omotayo Omotosho; television presenter and model, Idia Aisen; model and beauty influencer, Whitney Madueke were also there. FirstBank was represented by Helen Ogboh, Business Manager, Corporate Banking.

Speaking on FirstBank’s sponsorship of the event, the Bank’s Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said: “We are pleased to identify with Africa Fashion Week Nigeria as it showcases creativity by African fashion designers to the teeming public, leading players and enthusiasts of African fashion while promoting their contribution to the growth of the fashion industry.

“We will continue to drive advocacy for this as it can create jobs that will deepen opportunities for the revival of our textile industry resulting in SMEs’growth along the value chains especially, with the growing demand in the fashion industry.”

Recently, the bank promoted the use of local fabrics with a ‘What If’ campaign to commemorate the country’s Independence. It ran across the social media channels, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, focusing on the creativity of sewing local fabrics as a national symbol vis-a-vis our outfits, clothing accessories, household furniture, in line with the bank’s celebratory 125th Anniversary, themed, “Woven into the Fabric of Society”.

Ani-Mumuney said the bank would continue to empower the society, including the support for small businesses and promotion of the growth of the entertainment industry.

Also, on the list of fashion sponsorship credentials of the Bank is the Fashion Souk, as well as Street Souk organized in partnership with Eventful Limited. Ani-Mumuney said “Street Souk was designed to encourage the youth to channel their talents to genres as music, arts and fashion. It’s a platform that identifies opportunities, which promote the innovative spirit in youngsters.

She noted that Street Souk was tied to the FirstBank’s initiative to empower the society, including small business owners. According to her, the initiative is also tied to the promotion of the entertainment industry.

Manager XIIG Glover, a merchant at the Street Souk, Mr Obembe Abiola, said he was happy to be part of last year’s (2019) street trading.

“We are here to showcase what we also have as a brand which is African made and to reach out to people to know about the brand. Last year (in 2018), we were also here and it was a great time out to meet up with new clients, customers and to meet up with other brands and this year is a lot more better than last year. We are large in number, new faces and everything is going on fine,” Abiola said. He commended FirstBank for organising the event aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship.

Also, Creative Director, Dmf Designs & Shopwith5k, Adebayo Bankole, a participant, said she was glad to showcase her brand to people. “I have finally found my target audience here, people that are interested in street Souk culture in Nigeria. They are my target audience,” Bankole said.

She stated that sales had been very amazing and that it was worth-while being part of this year’s Street Souk.

“I really appreciate the fact that FirstBank is doing this because most banks go for ankara or made- in-Nigeria but this is promoting a different culture in Nigeria. Street trading is not common in Nigeria, the fact that FirstBank is able to support the promotion of street Souk in Nigeria is amazing,” Bankole added.

The bank also said it would remain committed to the Federal Government’s diversification drive with the development of agricultural value chain to boost employment.

FirstBank’s Chairman, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, stated this at last year’s edition of ‘Food Souk’, an event the Bank convened in partnership with Eventful Limited, an events management firm.

Mrs Awosika said the bank would continue to support the agricultural value chain from production to consumption to create opportunities for SMEs in the food sector to create job opportunities. “As you have noticed, we have been doing a chain of Souks with Eventful. It is critical for the economy of the nation that we encourage the SMEs sector across different industries,” she said.

According to her, the Food Souk was introduced to diversify the economy through agricultural development. “When we have 200 million people, food is big business because everybody will eat. So, what we are trying to do is in support of the nation’s building. We are seeking to encourage small, medium and big enterprises in different sectors of the economy.

“One is to help create jobs because if we think that 65 per cent of our population is made up of people under 40 years and the highest unemployment rate is within the segment that is between 20 and 35, so you need to create jobs.

“But you will only create jobs when you create entrepreneurs, as we create more businesses you are creating job opportunities,” Mrs Awosika said.

She added that the bank’s focused on the growth of the economy with the hope it would benefit from it as a provider of financial services. “As we grow the economy, as we build lives of Nigerians, as we support the government’s investment in the diversification of the economy and help to create jobs through the enterprises we will ultimately benefit,” Mrs Awosika stated.

The Chairman said FirstBank, the largest retail bank in the country, would continue to support growth and development of SMEs. “A lot of big businesses of today that grew in Nigeria are businesses we supported from scratch. “We are starting with different generations of new businesses and events like this help you to see the trends. It helps you to see the companies that need nurturing.

“It helps you to see the companies that you can support. It also gives you information about how you can best support them and engage them in their terrain to see businesses and understand their feelings to create the kind of product that will support their businesses,” Mrs Awosika said.

A food vendor, Ms Ijeoma Ebeneme, the Chief Executive Officer, JEM N Iris, commended FirstBank for putting the event together. Ebeneme said she was at the fair to make profit, meet new clients  as well as create the needed publicity for her brand. Food Souk, formerly known as Fiesta of Flavours, is a food and wine fair, that holds yearly at Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos, since its premier edition in 2015.

The fun food and beverage fair hosted by Eventful and sponsored by FirstBank provides an avenue for attendees to experience the entertainment, art and business of food. It showcases the best in local and international cuisine, cutting-edge food technology and cooking techniques, and the best beverages, wines and spirits the world offers. It provides management and training seminars, food demonstrations and performances.

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Fidelity Bank Plc Wins 2025 DBN Innovation Award for MSME Support

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Fidelity Bank Plc Wins 2025 DBN Innovation Award for MSME Support

 

In recognition of its exceptional contributions to innovative financial solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc has been awarded the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank (DMB) category.

This prestigious accolade celebrates Fidelity Bank’s commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by MSMEs, a vital segment in Nigeria’s economic growth.

Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, commented on the award, reaffirming the bank’s dedication to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs: “At Fidelity Bank, innovation is at the heart of our strategy to support MSMEs. This recognition underscores our commitment to developing scalable, inclusive, and technology-driven financial solutions that create positive outcomes for our nation’s entrepreneurs. We are honored to receive the DBN award and dedicate it to our loyal customers for their continued support.”

The award was presented at the 2025 Service Ambassadors’ Awards ceremony in Lagos, themed ‘Enhancing Partnership for MSME Resilience and Growth.’ Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director of DBN, emphasized the importance of financial institutions in transforming unbankable ideas into viable businesses through advisory services.

“You, our partners, are acknowledged and celebrated for your outreach to entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to scale. We appreciate you for your role in converting unbankable ideas into bankable businesses,” Okpanachi stated.

He noted that the award aims to recognize partners who make a significant impact, focusing on storytelling and the positive changes they bring to Nigeria.

This award joins a series of landmark initiatives by Fidelity Bank aimed at supporting MSMEs. Earlier in May, the bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to facilitate the expansion of Nigerian MSMEs across Africa.

Additionally, Fidelity Bank launched the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos—a multifunctional facility equipped with training halls, meeting rooms, networking spaces, and studios for music, photography, and content production. This hub is designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building, essential elements for strengthening Nigeria’s SME ecosystem and driving economic growth.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Fidelity Bank Plc Wins 2025 DBN Innovation Award for MSME Support

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Adron Homes Launches Grand Ileya Promo with Massive Discounts, Star Appearances & Festive Gifts

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Adron Homes Launches Grand Ileya Promo with Massive Discounts, Star Appearances & Festive Gifts

As the Ileya (Sallah) season approaches, Adron Homes, Nigeria’s leading real estate company, is again giving Nigerians a reason to celebrate beyond the festivities with the launch of its highly anticipated ILEYA/SALLAH PROMO!

This year’s celebration blends culture, community, and homeownership into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for families and individuals looking to secure their future through real estate.

With over 40 estate locations nationwide, spanning Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger, Jos, and Ekiti, Adron Homes is offering a generous 30% discount on all land purchases. Even better, customers can enjoy convenient payment plans spread over 24 months, making land ownership more affordable than ever.

To mark the season of giving, Adron Homes is rolling out exciting gift rewards for customers based on their commitment levels:
•          ₦100,000 Payment – 10kg Bag of Rice or Aso Oke or Ankara
•          ₦200,000 Payment – 10kg Rice with Aso Oke or 2 Ankara
•          ₦500,000 Payment – Goat or 50kg Rice with Aso Oke or 2 Ankara
•          ₦1,000,000 Payment – Ram with Aso Oke or 2 Ankara or 50kg Rice + Goat
(Valid for lands worth ₦3M and above)
•          ₦3,000,000 Payment – 3 Rams with Aso Oke or 2 Ankara
(Valid for lands worth ₦8M and above)

This campaign is also being celebrated with the support of star brand ambassadors; Lateef Adedimeji, Ibrahim Chatta, and Femi Branch, who embody the spirit of culture, excellence, and family that Adron Homes stands for.

With a proven track record of delivering value and properties in strategic locations, Adron Homes is committed to making the dream of property ownership a reality for every Nigerian regardless of income level.

This Ileya season, the company is inviting all Nigerians to invest not just in land, but in a lifetime of security, prosperity, and generational wealth.

Visit any Adron Homes office nationwide or connect with us through our online platforms:
Website:adronhomesproperties.com

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Wear It All Luxury Opens New Abuja Boutique with Star-Studded Ceremony

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Wear It All Luxury Opens New Abuja Boutique with Star-Studded Ceremony

Wear It All Luxury Opens New Abuja Boutique with Star-Studded Ceremony

Four years after successfully reopening its flagship store in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, following a major renovation, Wear It All Luxury, the upscale fashion brand owned by renowned entrepreneur, Sodiq Babatunde Rufai, has expanded its presence with the launch of a new boutique in Abuja.

The grand opening, held on Thursday, 22nd May 2025, at Libreville Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja was a star-studded affair that brought together influential personalities from the fashion, entertainment, and business worlds. Among the high-profile guests in attendance was Afrobeats superstar Davido, whose presence added further glamour to the launch event.

Located in the heart of the capital, the new Abuja boutique is poised to offer the same top-tier fashion experience the brand is known for, curated luxury pieces, exclusive designer wear, and impeccable customer service tailored for Nigeria’s elite fashion lovers.

Speaking at the event, Sodiq Babatunde Rufai expressed his excitement about the brand’s expansion, stating, “This is more than just a store opening, it’s a statement that Nigerian fashion continues to grow and thrive. We’re proud to bring the Wear It All experience to Abuja, and we remain committed to setting the pace in luxury fashion across the country.”

The Abuja outlet joins the Lagos boutique in offering high-end fashion collections from globally recognized brands, as well as unique pieces under the Wear It All Luxury private label.

Guests were treated to a private showcase of the brand’s latest collections, light entertainment, and a luxurious atmosphere that perfectly reflected the Wear It All Luxury ethos.

As the fashion house continues to expand, industry watchers say the brand’s entry into the Abuja market marks another major milestone in Nigeria’s growing luxury fashion landscape.

Wear It All Luxury Opens New Abuja Boutique with Star-Studded Ceremony

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