Residents of Kamba in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State have lauded the launch of a new branch of Fidelity Bank Plc, describing it as a significant boost to financial inclusion and economic activity in the agrarian community.
The new branch, inaugurated amid widespread community support, is expected to address long-standing challenges faced by farmers, traders and public servants who previously travelled to Birnin Kebbi for routine banking transactions.
Chairman of Dandi Local Government Council, Dr. Mansur Isah-Kamba, represented by the Council Secretary, Abdulkadir Muhammad, said the development would drastically reduce the stress, cost and time spent accessing banking services outside the locality.
He noted that more than 83 traditional rulers on the council’s payroll had endured years of limited access to formal financial services.
“With the opening of this branch in our locality, the stress, cost and time associated with banking outside the community will be significantly reduced,” he said, commending the bank for supporting farmers and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
The Sarkin Shikon of Kamba, Mahmoud Zarumai-Fana, described the branch as timely, noting that farming remains the primary occupation in the area.
He said proximity to banking services would enable farmers to save securely, access credit facilities and participate more effectively in agricultural intervention programmes.
“Our people are predominantly farmers. Access to financial services will help them improve productivity and livelihoods,” he said, adding that farmers require equipment such as pumping machines, fertilisers and pesticides to scale up operations.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Regional Bank Head, North-West Region of Fidelity Bank, Muhammad Lawal-Ahijo, said the decision to establish the branch was part of the bank’s broader strategy to expand access to financial services and stimulate grassroots economic growth.
“Our decision to establish this branch is rooted in our belief that every community deserves access to reliable financial services that enable people to grow, businesses to thrive, and local economies to prosper,” he said.
“Kamba is a thriving agricultural community, and opening a branch here is a strategic investment in the future of its farmers, traders and households.”
He urged residents to take full ownership of the facility by utilising the services available, stressing the bank’s commitment to supporting informal sector workers and SMEs with accessible financial solutions.
Also speaking, a member of the Kebbi State House of Assembly representing Dandi Constituency, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman-Fana, described the branch as a milestone for rural development and called on farmers, traders and youths to leverage the opportunity to grow their businesses.
Residents welcomed the development, saying it would improve their daily operations. A petty trader, Hassana Abubakar, said she previously had to shut her shop whenever she travelled to Birnin Kebbi for banking transactions.
“Now I can do my banking here without losing a whole day’s business. This will help my shop grow,” she said.
The new branch forms part of Fidelity Bank’s ongoing push to deepen financial inclusion and strengthen rural economies across Nigeria.
The bank serves over 10 million customers through its digital channels, 255 business offices nationwide and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited, and has received multiple local and international awards for digital innovation and SME banking support.
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