Fidelity Bank Empowers Women, Schoolchildren in Anambra with N25m Support, Vocational Tools
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable social impact and economic inclusion through a major empowerment initiative targeted at women entrepreneurs, vulnerable households and schoolchildren in Anambra State.
The intervention, which took place in Awka under the 2026 Fidelity Empowerment Programme, saw the bank distribute 200 sewing and grinding machines to women, provide N25 million in seed capital support, donate 1,500 food packs to vulnerable families, and hand over 250 solar-powered school bags to pupils.
The initiative was implemented in partnership with Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, a non-governmental organisation founded by the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo.
Speaking during the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the programme underscored the bank’s commitment to empowering individuals and fostering sustainable development within communities.
According to her, the intervention represented the first time the bank had brought together three of its flagship social impact programmes – the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, the Lighting Young Minds Programme and the Give Her Power Initiative – under one platform, with Anambra emerging as the first beneficiary.
She said the initiative went beyond the distribution of items and reflected the institution’s belief that meaningful development begins when people are equipped with opportunities and tools to succeed.
“Today is more than an empowerment event; it is a demonstration of our belief that meaningful progress begins when people are given the tools and opportunities to succeed.
“At Fidelity Bank, our purpose goes beyond banking. We are committed to helping individuals realise their aspirations, overcome challenges and build better lives. When communities thrive, businesses thrive; when families prosper, societies become stronger; and when people are empowered, possibilities become endless,” Onyeali-Ikpe stated.
The bank’s chief executive noted that the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative had continued to provide critical assistance to vulnerable households across the country, particularly at a time when many families were grappling with economic challenges.
“Access to food remains a basic human need. By supporting vulnerable families, we are restoring dignity, strengthening resilience and fostering greater social inclusion within our communities,” she added.
On the Lighting Young Minds Programme, Onyeali-Ikpe explained that the solar-powered school bags were designed to improve educational outcomes by enabling pupils to study after dark, especially in communities with limited access to electricity.
She further explained that the Give Her Power Initiative was aimed at boosting women’s entrepreneurship and economic participation through the provision of vocational equipment and financial support capable of improving household incomes.
In her remarks, the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo, praised Fidelity Bank for its continued commitment to uplifting vulnerable groups and investing in community development.
According to her, every investment in people translates into a stronger and more prosperous society.
“We gather today, not merely to distribute items or celebrate another social impact initiative, but to reaffirm a simple truth: when we invest in people, we invest in the future.
“Every woman supported, every child empowered, and every family assisted represents a step towards building a stronger, healthier and more prosperous Anambra State,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the bank for supporting the state’s vision of improving the lives of citizens through impactful interventions.
“Beyond the empowerment items being distributed today, Fidelity Bank is investing in human potential, family stability and community development. This partnership demonstrates the important role socially responsible organisations can play in advancing sustainable development and improving the quality of life of the people they serve,” she added.
The Fidelity Empowerment Programme forms part of the bank’s broader strategy to drive positive social impact nationwide through targeted initiatives in education, food security, health, economic empowerment and community development.
Fidelity Bank currently serves more than 10 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has also earned several local and international recognitions for its contributions to MSME development, trade finance, innovation and community empowerment.
