Leading financial institution Fidelity Bank Plc has empowered no fewer than 1,950 Nigerians in Anambra State through a comprehensive social intervention programme aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs, schoolchildren and vulnerable households.
The empowerment initiative, which took place in Awka under the 2026 Fidelity Empowerment Programme, saw the distribution of 200 sewing and grinding machines to women entrepreneurs, N25 million in seed capital grants, 1,500 food packs to vulnerable families and 250 solar-powered school bags to pupils.
The programme 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 initiative underscored the bank’s commitment to economic inclusion, community development and sustainable growth.
She noted that the intervention marked the first time the bank had combined its three flagship social impact programmes—the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, Lighting Young Minds Programme and Give Her Power Initiative—under a single platform, with Anambra State emerging as the pioneer beneficiary.
According to Onyeali-Ikpe, the programme was designed to provide individuals and families with the resources needed to improve their livelihoods and create long-term opportunities for growth.
She said Fidelity Bank’s commitment extends beyond banking services to empowering people, strengthening communities and helping individuals realise their aspirations.
The bank’s chief executive explained that the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative continues to support vulnerable households across the country, particularly at a time when many families are grappling with economic challenges.
She stressed that access to food remains a fundamental human need and that supporting vulnerable families helps restore dignity, build resilience and promote social inclusion.
On the Lighting Young Minds Programme, Onyeali-Ikpe said the solar-powered school bags were introduced to improve learning outcomes by enabling pupils to study after dark, especially in communities with limited access to electricity.
She added that the Give Her Power Initiative was designed to enhance women’s economic participation through the provision of vocational equipment and financial support to boost entrepreneurship and household income.
In her remarks, the Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, commended Fidelity Bank for its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable groups and investing in community development.
She described the intervention as a demonstration of the importance of investing in people, noting that every empowered woman, supported child and assisted family contributes to building a stronger and more prosperous society.
Soludo further praised the bank for aligning with the state’s vision of empowering communities and improving living standards through impactful social interventions.
According to her, the initiative goes beyond the distribution of empowerment items, representing an investment in human potential, family stability and sustainable community development.
The Fidelity Empowerment Programme is part of Fidelity Bank’s broader corporate social responsibility strategy focused on education, economic empowerment, food security, healthcare and community development across Nigeria.
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 received several local and international recognitions, including awards for innovation in MSME support, retail and SME banking, export and trade finance, private banking and community empowerment.
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