By GRACE ALEGBA

Fidelity Bank Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with partner organisations at the launch of the bank’s “Give Her Power” initiative to advance women’s economic empowerment opportunities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is designed to equip Nigerian women with practical skills, tools, mentorship, and financial knowledge.

The partnerships, formalised as part of activities commemorating the 2026 International Women’s Day, brought together a diverse network of stakeholders.

The collaboration was anchored on the Bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, a structured platform created to provide vocational training, business support, and sustainable enterprise opportunities for women across multiple sectors.

Speaking during the event, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said that the bank’s “HerFidelity’’ initiative reflected the bank’s continued commitment to women empowerment.

Onyeali-Ikpe said that the initiative was aimed at creating opportunities that empower 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.

“They will enable them to move from effort to earnings and from hustle to sustainable enterprise,” she said.

She said that the programme would deliver a range of interventions throughout the month of March.

She listed the interventions to include distribution of 1,000 sewing and grinding machines to support women-led micro-businesses, as well as vocational training in automobile mechanics, interior decoration, barbing, hair making, and shoe making.

“Other components of the initiative include professional headshot sessions to strengthen women’s personal and professional brands.

“They also includes mentorship engagements with leading female entrepreneurs, and hands-on skill acquisition training in areas such as makeup artistry, nail care, and traditional headgear tying,” she said.

Onyeali-Ikpe also said that empowering women economically had ripple effects that extend beyond individual beneficiaries.

“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 dollars to global GDP.

“This reinforces the need to deliberately create platforms that support women to build sustainable businesses and strengthen their economic independence,” she said.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, commended Fidelity Bank for its leadership in promoting entrepreneurship and supporting women across the nation.

According to her, the initiative strongly aligns with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to building an inclusive economy where women have access to skills, mentorship and financial opportunities they need to thrive.

“Women remain key drivers of commerce and enterprise across Lagos, from traditional markets to emerging digital sectors.

“This initiative by Fidelity Bank has ensured that we stayed true to promoting and supporting women,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bolaji Dada, praised Fidelity 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 expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for the collaboration.

They said that the partnership would play a significant role in expanding vocational training opportunities and strengthening entrepreneurship among women.

The Give Her Power initiative is expected to empower hundreds of women through skill development, mentorship, and startup support, while reinforcing the role of women as key contributors to Nigeria’s economic growth. (NAN)

•PHOTO, L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Innoson Kiara Academy, Endi Ezengwa; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State, Bolaji Cecilia Dada; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; and Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the launch of “Give Her Power” initiative as part of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) activities at the Fidelity Bank Head Office in Lagos, recently.