The initiative was formally unveiled at the bank’s head office in Lagos, alongside the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with several public and private sector partners to deliver structured training, mentorship, financial literacy and enterprise support targeted at women across multiple vocational and creative sectors.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that the programme is anchored on Fidelity Bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, a nationwide platform designed to equip women with market-relevant vocational skills while linking them to long-term business and income opportunities. The bank said the structure is aimed at moving women from informal hustle into scalable and sustainable enterprises.
Speaking at the launch, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, said empowering women remains a core economic strategy for the institution. She explained that the initiative is focused on providing practical tools, access to finance and capacity building that enable women to achieve financial independence and build resilient businesses capable of supporting families and communities.
According to the bank, the programme will run throughout March and includes the distribution of 1,000 sewing and grinding machines to women-led microbusinesses, vocational training in automobile mechanics, interior decoration, barbing, hair making and shoe production, as well as hands-on training in makeup artistry, nail care and traditional headgear styling. Participants will also benefit from professional branding support through headshot sessions and mentorship engagements with established female entrepreneurs.
Representatives of the Lagos State Government, including commissioners for commerce and women affairs, described the initiative as aligned with the state’s drive for inclusive economic growth, noting that women remain central to trade, entrepreneurship and the informal economy. They commended the collaboration between the private sector and government as a practical pathway to poverty reduction and economic resilience.
Fidelity Bank said the “Give Her Power” programme is expected to directly empower hundreds of women through skills acquisition, mentorship and access to startup resources, while strengthening the role of women as drivers of Nigeria’s economic development. The lender added that the initiative complements its broader strategy of supporting SMEs and expanding financial access through its digital platforms and nationwide branch network.
