Union Bank of Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s most trusted financial institutions, is excited to announce the launch of its new customer reward initiative designed to deepen engagement, drive premium account activity, and promote consistent savings behaviour among its customers.

Open to new and existing customers, the Save and Gain promo requires participants to open accounts, maintain and grow a monthly average balance of ₦50,000, complete at least five transactions monthly, and actively use digital channels such as cards, USSD, mobile, or internet banking.

Top deposit contributors will receive monthly rewards ranging from free debit cards, cash prizes of N50,000 and N100,000, respectively, within each level of participation.

A special reward of ₦30,000 cash vouchers will be awarded to top depositors and contributors for December. The grand prize of ₦5 million will be awarded to the highest average deposit contributors over the six-month campaign period.

The campaign builds on the success of the Save & Win Palli Promo, through which the bank has disbursed over ₦330 million in cash and prizes to more than 5,000 customers since 2021.

Unlike previous campaigns, Save & Gain demonstrates the bank’s focus on digital adoption and inclusion, with a performance-based reward system that prioritises transparency and consistency. Customers who reflect responsible account usage, maintain savings discipline, and embrace digital banking channels will be rewarded.

Prospective customers can download the UnionMobile app on their smartphones to open accounts or walk into any Union Bank branch.

About Union Bank

Union Bank of Nigeria, which has undergone different phases of transformation, has been a cornerstone of the Nigerian banking sector since 1917. With a commitment to delivering simple, smart, and personalised financial services, the bank continues to support individuals, SMEs, and corporations in achieving their growth aspirations. 

As part of its ongoing expansion plan, Union Bank recently acquired Titan Trust Bank, one of the newest entities in the Nigerian banking space, further boosting the bank’s branch network and customer base.

L – R: Executive Director -South, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (both of Fidelity Bank Plc); Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adebowale Olujimi; Group Executive Director, Mrs. Olugbesoye Olujimi (both of Emadeb Energy); Executive Director -Lagos and South West, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Ken Opara; and Group Executive Director, Finance/Strategy, Emadeb Energy, Mr. Tosin Adewuyi; at the First Oil presentation event by Emadeb Energy at the Fidelity Bank head office in Lagos recently.

Fidelity Bank Plc has restated its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, with a strong focus on supporting indigenous operators.

This was highlighted by the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, during a first oil presentation event for Emadeb Energy at Fidelity Place, the bank’s corporate headquarters in Lagos.

At the event, Emadeb Energy’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adebowale Olujimi, expressed appreciation for the bank’s role in enabling the company’s progress.

“What makes Fidelity Bank unique is its willingness to take calculated risks. Many banks prefer to work with companies only after they have achieved first oil because they want already-established customers. Fidelity Bank reviewed our proposal thoroughly, including legal, technical, financial and character assessments. We met these requirements and that is why they supported us,” Olujimi said.

Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe congratulated Emadeb Energy on its milestone and reaffirmed Fidelity Bank’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector.

“At Fidelity Bank, we are dedicated to supporting indigenous companies in developing oil and gas assets that enhance energy security and promote sustainable growth. Our interventions include financing Nigeria’s first privately built and operated onshore crude export terminal in over fifty years at the Otakikpo Marginal Field in Rivers State.

“We also led funding for the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Terminal in Lekki, Lagos, which improves petroleum product distribution and reduces costs. In addition, we part-financed the production of a 23,000-cubic-meter Liquefied Petroleum Gas carrier for Temile Development Company Limited, which supports cleaner energy use and strengthens local maritime participation,” she said.

Emadeb Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, operator of Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) 236, recently achieved first oil from the Ibom Field, a milestone regarded as a significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

“Our next phase will be exciting. We plan to drill two additional wells and increase production to 12,000 barrels per day by the end of 2026. After that, we aim to expand our gas business and raise oil output to 30,000 barrels per day,” Olujimi added.

The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to the activities of an entity operating under the name Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited, which reportedly has branches in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano, and claims to be licensed by the CBN to carry out microfinance banking in Nigeria.

The said Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited is not a licensed Microfinance Bank and has no authorisation from the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate or carry out any form of banking or microfinance business in Nigeria.

For the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 stipulates that “no person shall carry on any banking business in Nigeria except it is a company duly incorporated in Nigeria and holds a valid banking licence issued by the CBN.”

The general public is therefore strongly advised to disregard any claims of licensing or approval by Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited and to refrain from engaging in any financial transactions with the said entity, as such dealings are undertaken at the individual’s own risk.

The CBN remains committed to safeguarding the financial system and protecting members of the public from unlicensed and fraudulent institutions.

L – R: Oge Kasie – Nwachukwu, Acting Group Head, Retail Marketing and Communications, Access Bank Plc; Modinat Tijani, Chief Executive Officer, Inclusive Development Consult Ltd; Olalekan Ajibade, Managing Director, Kaizen Paints; Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head, SME Banking, Access Bank Plc; Kemi Balogun, CEO, Anikky and Belles; and Chinonso Mbaike, Managing Director, Mummyzee Collections, during the presentation of certificates to participants of the Access Bank SME Academy 3-Day Free Training which ended in Lagos recently.

More than 100 small business owners who participated in Access Bank’s maiden SME Academy have commended the programme for demystifying tax compliance, improving their understanding of business structuring, and strengthening their financial management skills.

Participants described the three-day training as timely and transformative, particularly the sessions on taxation and business planning, which addressed long-standing gaps that have hindered the growth of many small enterprises. They noted that the academy helped dispel widespread misinformation following recent tax policy changes that had created anxiety among SME operators.

Gbenga Agoye of Grandmade Limited, a logistics and export company, said the tax module provided clarity on issues that previously stalled aspects of his operations.

“I’ve been struggling with that, so I quite had an impressive knowledge about what it is and how to go about it,” he said. He added that the classes on leadership and customer service were equally valuable in strengthening his service delivery and operational discipline.

Another participant, Mosebolatan Ladi-Lawal of M2M Stores, noted that she entered the academy with limited understanding of both old and new tax requirements.

“I didn’t know so much about the new tax, even the old tax, but we were really taught about it in this training and I believe it will help me scale better,” she said. She highlighted modules on VAT, business planning and the Pro-Max tax system as particularly impactful. According to her, learning the importance of structuring her business was a major takeaway: “Before, I was doing this one-man business. I have learnt now that I need to structure so that when I’m structured, I can diversify while this business can be managed effectively even in my absence.

The Academy focused on the most pressing challenges faced by early-stage enterprises, including valuation, proper record keeping, customer retention, and navigating evolving government policies.

According to Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head for SME Banking Products at Access Bank, these concerns were deliberately prioritised when developing the curriculum. She explained that the academy was designed for SMEs that have operated for at least two to five years and are now experiencing the complexities of scaling. “Valuation is a problem, taxation is another key thing, finance management. Then we had to delve into customer service so they are able to build their customer base and retain them,” she said.

Olubitan added that confusion triggered by the recent tax policy changes was a key reason for incorporating detailed tax education into the programme. “The most recent is the tax policy that just came out. It caused a lot of confusion. People are like, ‘Do I still need to run my business account?’” she said. She noted that the academy created space to simplify the rules and show SMEs how the new requirements directly affect their businesses.

She emphasised that Access Bank does not view government policies as harsh; rather, compliance feels burdensome because many small business owners lack the right guidance. She acknowledged that policymakers’ engagement with stakeholders, including SMEs and financial institutions, has improved in recent years. She also highlighted the availability of government-backed financing opportunities, such as those channeled through the Bank of Industry (BOI, even though access remains a challenge for many SMEs.

Olubitan further noted that Access Bank is extending support to unregistered businesses by recognizing consistent cash flow on personal accounts as a basis for credit qualification.

“We know that they are running their businesses. We can see you even at your state as an individual. We’ve also put together facilities to support them using that cash flow so that we can give them financial support, grow with them, even give them opportunities to now register their business and start identifying as an SME,” she explained.

She encouraged entrepreneurs to remain informed, leverage available support channels including social media and capacity-building programmes, and remain committed to the long journey of building a sustainable business. “Entrepreneurship is not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” she said.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings’ subsidiaries have been honoured for their outstanding performance in the Nigerian financial markets, receiving seven prestigious awards at the FMDQ Gold Awards. These accolades recognise the resilience and adaptability of participants in Nigeria’s financial sector and were presented to Stanbic IBTC Capital, Stanbic IBTC Bank, and Stanbic IBTC Asset Management across various categories.

Stanbic IBTC Capital received awards for Bond Listings, CP Quotations, and the Capital Markets Securities Origination – Primary Market Champion Award. Stanbic IBTC Bank was acknowledged as the Fixed Income Market Liquidity Provider, FX Market Liquidity Provider, and Dealing Member of the Year. Stanbic IBTC Asset Management was honoured as the Most Active Buy Side Participant in the Fixed Income Market.

These distinctions highlight Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to leadership and innovation in the financial sector. Each award demonstrates the team’s dedication and expertise, reinforcing its role as a facilitator of capital access for clients.

Commenting on the awards, Chuma Nwokocha, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, said:

“At Stanbic IBTC, we are immensely proud to receive these prestigious accolades at the FMDQ Gold Awards. This recognition underscores our steadfast commitment to excellence and innovation in Nigeria’s financial markets. Our team’s dedication and resilience have played a vital role in achieving these milestones, and we remain focused on providing our clients with exceptional access to capital. Together, we will continue to lead and adapt in an ever-evolving financial landscape.”

The FMDQ GOLD Awards celebrate the resilience and agility of Nigerian financial market participants. Based on FMDQ’s ‘GOLD’ Agenda (Global Competitiveness, Operational Excellence, Liquidity, and Diversity), the awards recognise the significant contributions of stakeholders in shaping the markets and advancing the Nigerian economy across FMDQ’s Securities Exchange, Central Counterparty, and Depository.

Adding to this momentous occasion, Presco PLC, a valued client of Stanbic IBTC Capital, received the award for the Largest Corporate Bond Listing on FMDQ. This achievement further emphasises the positive impact of Stanbic IBTC Capital’s initiatives in the marketplace, showcasing the collaborative efforts that drive success in the financial sector.

Oladele Sotubo, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Capital, stated, “We feel truly gratified to be hailed for our relentless efforts and dedication to excellence in our field. This award is not only proof of our hard work but also reflects the deep trust and confidence our clients place in us. Each recognition motivates us further to uphold our commitment to exceptional service while fostering meaningful partnerships. As we move forward, we remain passionate about enhancing our standards and providing committed support to our clients in all their pursuits.”

The recognitions received underscore Stanbic IBTC’s strengths and showcase broader advancements in Nigeria’s financial markets. The firm is dedicated to offering innovative financial solutions that drive economic growth and stability.

As the company celebrates this notable achievement, it looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to strengthen relationships with its clients, ensuring sustained success and growth in the financial landscape.

Ecobank Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to driving social impact, empowering young people, and promoting Pan-African creativity through strategic initiatives, partnerships, and community-focused programmes.

This was emphasised ahead of the Lineage of Masters’ tour of the ongoing Lagos Pop-Up Museum, scheduled to hold at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) as part of the exhibition’s Reminisce Day activities.

A major highlight of the museum tour is the participation of the Lineage of Masters, a collective of contemporary Nigerian artists deeply influenced by the legendary Yusuf Grillo.

These artists continue to uphold and expand Grillo’s legacy through distinctive creative expressions across diverse media.

Artists exhibiting at the event include Kunle Adeyemi, Ato Arinze, Duke Asidere, Adeola Balogun, Samuel Ebohon, and Lara Ige-Jacks. Other members of the group expected at the tour are Ben Nwosa, Edosa Ogiugo, Lekan Onabanjo, Odun Orimolade, Sam Ovraiti, and Kehinde Sanwo.

According to Omoboye Odu, Head, SME, Ecobank Nigeria, the bank remains deeply invested in initiatives that strengthen communities, unlock youth potential, and celebrate Africa’s rich artistic heritage. “Our commitment to social impact, youth empowerment, and Pan-African creativity remains unwavering. We will continue to leverage our platforms, partnerships, and resources to positively shape lives and support the next generation of African leaders and creators,” she said.

Ecobank has been at the forefront of promoting African art and culture through exhibitions, pop-up museums, and collaborations with leading institutions.

The Lagos Pop-Up Museum—implemented in partnership with Yaba College of Technology—provides a dynamic platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work, while offering the public an immersive experience in African artistic heritage.

In recent months, the bank has hosted and supported several high-profile cultural exhibitions, including:

• Enduring Legacies: A Collector’s Tribute to Masters – a showcase of timeless African artworks from renowned private collections, celebrating creativity, culture, and continuity.
• Duality of Time – a solo exhibition by Uchay Joel Chima, curated by Ayo Oshodi for ART FORM.
• “The Crown and the Legacy”, a memorial exhibition honouring the late Oba Sijuwade, former Ooni of Ife (1980–2015).
• The ongoing “Fela Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion” exhibition, which reflects the bank’s belief in the power of art, music, and culture to inspire social transformation across Africa.

Beyond the arts, Ecobank continues to drive youth empowerment through entrepreneurship programmes, skills development initiatives, and support for MSMEs and start-ups. The bank also invests in community development and Pan-African innovation platforms designed to uplift underserved communities and create cross-border opportunities for young Africans.

Odu reiterated that these efforts align with Ecobank’s broader mission to promote sustainable development and champion Africa’s cultural and economic renaissance. “Our investments in the creative sector, youth development, and community impact projects are expressions of our belief in Africa’s future,” she added.