Fidelity Bank Board Of Directors

Amaka Onwughalu Gets Appointed Following Chike-Obi’s Tenure As Chairman

Tier one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the completion of the tenure of Mustafa Chike-Obi as the Chairman of its Board of Directors effective December 31, 2025 and appointed Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu as its new Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2026.

The board transitions are in accordance with the Bank’s policy and have been communicated to the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) the Nigerian Exchange Group, among other stakeholders.

Under Mr. Chike-Obi’s leadership, Fidelity Bank repaid its Eurobond, completed the first tranche of its public offer and rights issue that were oversubscribed by 237 percent and 137.73 percent respectively, expanded internationally to the United Kingdom as well as received improved ratings from various agencies amongst a long list of achievements.

 Obi's tenure also saw the Bank strengthen its capital position, recorded steady growth in customer deposits and total assets, deepened its digital banking capabilities and enhanced its corporate and investment banking proposition. 

The bank equally made notable progress in governance, risk management and operational efficiency; all of which contributed to strengthened market confidence and the Bank’s sustained upward performance trajectory.

While reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi said, “It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of Fidelity Bank. The dedication of our Board, management, and staff has enabled us to reach significant milestones. I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive and deliver value to all stakeholders.”

Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu’s appointment marks a new chapter for Fidelity Bank. 

She joined the Board in December 2020 and has chaired key committees. With over 30 years of banking experience, including executive roles at Mainstreet Bank Limited and Skye Bank Plc. She holds degrees in Economics, Corporate Governance, and Business Administration, and has attended executive programmes at global institutions. Mrs. Onwughalu is a Fellow of several professional bodies and has received awards for accountability and financial management.

“I am honoured to lead the Board of Fidelity Bank at this exciting time. Our recent achievements have set a strong foundation for continued growth. I look forward to working with my colleagues to drive our strategy and deliver sustainable value.”

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. 

Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Unlocking Nigeria's Clean Energy Potential

Sterling Bank Renewable Energy Colloquium Aims To Unlock Clean Energy

Sterling Bank Limited has brought together stakeholders in the renewable energy industry to explore ways to accelerate action in the sector. 

The premier colloquium which held in Lagos on Monday December 15, 2025 is aimed at identifying priority areas for action to increase energy access as well as drive economic growth in the quest to attain a one trillion-dollar economy.

Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank Limited, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, gave the charge in his address at the colloquium organized with the theme: Beyond The Grid; Unlocking New Frontiers in Renewable Energy.

The   CEO,   who   was   represented   by   Dele   Faseemo,   Group   Executive, Corporate & Investment Banking, explained that Sterling Bank will be paying closer attention to policy actions in two or three key priority areas, especially regulation and financing.

He noted that focusing on these areas, the Bank can do more  to   drive   progress  and expand access to energy, which he described   as essential to support economic growth and overall development.

Students School Essentials Empowerment

 Polaris Bank, Evolve Charity Trust Empower 1,000 Students With School Essentials.

Polaris Bank, in partnership with Evolve Charity Trust, has successfully concluded its 2025 nationwide distribution of school essentials to 1,000 pupils across ten public secondary schools in five states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The initiative is part of the Bank's sustained Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts to keep more children;especially the girl child, in school.

This year’s exercise adds to a growing intervention that has since 2021 supported more than 24,000 students in public schools across 49 locations.

The beneficiaries received complete learning kit consisting of a school uniform, school bag, a pair of sandals, six exercise books and pens. 

An empowerment the school authorities, said would to improve attendance, boost confidence and support academic performance.

Polaris Bank also stimulated the local economy sourcing uniforms from local tailors, procuring books from bookshops and purchasing sandals and bags from community traders, thereby supporting small businesses across the beneficiary states.

Polaris Bank's Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kayode Lawal, reaffirmed the Bank's five-year promise to champion the education of the Nigerian girl child, noting that the school materials are symbols of belief in the students' potential to become scholars, innovators and future leaders.

School administrators across the country expressed gratitude for the timely support, noting that the essentials meet real and urgent needs, ease the burden on families and positively impact academic performance. Many students come from homes where parents cannot afford these items and the gesture has restored pride among beneficiaries.

Representatives of the Bank reiterated their commitment to improving access to education, championing access to quality learning, and encouraging students to make the best use of the materials and stay committed to success.

The 2025 distribution covered the following schools: Government Girls Secondary School, Kundila, Kano; Model Junior Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja; Government Junior Secondary School, Area 10, Garki, Abuja; Fortune Secondary School, Lokoja, Kogi State; National High School, Arondizuogu, Imo State; Iheme Memorial Secondary School, Iheme, Imo State; Akokwa High School, Akokwa, Imo State; Opebi Junior Grammar School, Opebi, Lagos; Gbaja Girls Junior Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos; and Gbaja Girls Senior Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos.

Expressing gratitude for the timely support, Hajiya Aisha Shehu Yakasai, Principal of Government Girls Secondary School in Kundila, Kano, said the essentials “meet real and urgent needs” and have eased the burden on families. Aso, Madam Maji-Abu Omanyo Esther, Principal of Fortune Secondary School, Lokoja, described the gesture as one that “brought joy and will positively impact academic performance.”

Commending the Bank for restoring pride among beneficiaries, Mrs. Erdoo Lortyom, Vice Principal at Model Junior Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja, noted that many students come from homes where parents cannot afford these items while Mrs. Dabiri Nwabuoku Adetoun Iyabo, Principal of Gbaja Girls Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Surulere, thanked Polaris Bank for its “consistent yearly gesture,” assuring that the materials will be put to excellent use. 

Representatives of the Bank reiterated their commitment to improving access to education.

In Kano, Branch Head, Mr. Madiebo Godwin, reaffirmed the Bank’s dedication to “championing access to quality learning,” while in Lokoja, Business Development Manager, David Ojonugwa, encouraged students to “make the best use of the materials and stay committed to success.”

Speaking in Imo State, the Bank’s Business Development Manager for Urualla Branch, Mr. Peter Nnamani, urged students to aim high, noting that every career dream “begins with dedication in school.”

Project Manager of Evolve Charity Trust, Mr. Godwin Ejeh, noted that investing in a child’s education “lights a candle that brightens entire communities,” noting the ripple effect witnessed across states visited during the distribution.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 5: Gender Equality, by promoting inclusive access to education and reducing gender-based barriers that keep girls out of school.

Polaris Bank affirmed its continued commitment to partnering with credible development organisations to deliver sustainable educational impact across Nigeria.

Fidelity Bank Vs Sagecom Legal Tussel

Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Fidelity Bank

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Lawal Garba, has ruled in favour of Fidelity Bank in its appeal against Sagecom Concepts Limited.

 The apex bank's ruling marks a significant victory for Fidelity Bank in a long-running legal dispute.

It brings definitive closure to a legacy case that has attracted attention across the financial sector for more than two decades.

In a motion dated October 8, 2025, Fidelity Bank sought clarification from the Supreme Court, requesting a consequential order that the judgment debt be paid in Naira.

The bank also asked that the interest rate be set at 19.5% per annum rather than 19.5% compounded daily.

Additionally, it prayed that the exchange rate used for conversion be the rate on the date of the High Court judgment, in line with the Supreme Court’s decision in Anibaba v. Dana Airlines.

SERAS Awards

Union Bank Wins Best-In-Workplace Practice Award.

Union Bank of Nigeria has again proven its worth as a longstanding financial institution at the recently held Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards(SERAS).

The bank secured yet another prestigious accolade as the Best Company in Workplace Practice at the awards. 

The ceremony held Saturday November 29, 2025 at the Grand Ballroom Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This significant achievement follows a comprehensive assessment by SERAS multinational independent judges who rigorously evaluated applicants' Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability initiatives.

Union Bank was nominated across four categories: SERAS Education Intervention of the Year, Best Company in Workplace Practice, Best in Gender Equity and Women Empowerment, and Best Company in Reporting and Transparency. 

The Bank also won first runner up positions in the Gender Equity and Women Empowerment and Educational Intervention categories; a feat that highlighted the bank's strength and commitment to these critical areas.

The Bank's award-winning workplace practices reflected its holistic people-first philosophy that transcends conventional human resources functions.

Union Bank has created an inclusive, rewarding and high performing work environment that establishes new benchmarks for Nigeria's financial sector.

Key initiatives that distinguished Union Bank include the introduction of five months fully paid maternity leave exceeding statutory requirements and the establishment of an onsite crèche at its head office to support work life balance and improve female retention.

L-R: Head, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Union Bank, Olufisayo Adelekun; Chairman, Wonder Energy, Engr. Toju Koso; Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank, Olufunmilola Aluko, Team Lead, External Communication, Union Bank, Favour Ayeni; Executive Asst, Corporate Communication and Marketing, Union Bank, Boluwatife Lawal; Products and Partnerships Specialist, Union Bank, Oghenemaro Ebrorhie; Team Lead, Digital Marketing, Union Bank, Abisola Oluyede; and Customer Service Partner, Union Bank, Eduvie Ejakpomewhe during the Award presentation to Union Bank for Best Company in Workplace Practice at the 2025 SERAS Awards held at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lagos recently.

Certification Of Non-Oil Export Academy Graduates

Sterling Bank Partners Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre

Longstanding financial institution Sterling Bank Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Enterprise Development Centre(EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) to certify graduates of its Non-Oil Export Academy. 

This strategic partnership underscores the Bank's commitment to diversifying Nigeria's economy by supporting non-oil export growth. 

The landmark agreement follows the recent launch of the Sterling Bank Non-Oil Export Academy; an initiative designed to position Nigerian exporters for global competitiveness. 

The launch was preceded by a series of nationwide training programs in Lagos, Ondo, and Kano states, culminating in a grand finale themed “Excel in Non-Oil Export.” 

This partnership is aimed at equipping exporters with practical tools to thrive in international markets, thereby reducing Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenues. 

Speaking at the signing of the MoU ceremony in Lagos, Sterling Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, affirmed that the Bank is intentional about creating an ecosystem where non-oil exporters are well-informed and equipped to advance national interests. 

“We are not just training people to understand how to export; we want to train them to be competitive exporters of non-oil products,”. 

“Our goal is to build a community of knowledgeable, certified, and confident exporters who can collaborate to solve challenges beyond their immediate capacity. Our North Star is to reach a point where hundreds of people have completed this programme and are ready to compete on a global scale.” 

L-R: Kola Oluyemi, Group Head, Sterling Academy; Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan Atlantic University (PAU); Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank; Dr. Nnenna Ugwu, Head, Alumni Engagement and Support Services, EDC at PAU; and Akporee Idenedo, Divisional Head, Commercial Banking, Sterling Bank at the recent MoU signing to certify graduates of Sterling Bank’s Non-Oil Export Academy.

Reckless Driving

Lagos Police Arrest Nigerian TikToker Peller.

More trouble is looming for 20-year-old Lagos resident TikToker and social media influencer Habeeb Hazmat popularly called "Peller" following a reckless driving live streaming of himself; crashing his car.

Hence the Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained Peller for his unruly behaviour.

Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi in a statement issued on Tuesday December 16, 2025 said the online streamer’s actions on Sunday, December 14, 2025 posed serious threat to public safety which required urgent intervention.

Adebisi described the act as extremely dangerous, stressing that such behaviour could have resulted in fatal consequences for both the suspect and other motorists.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for detailed probe.

Recall on Monday December 15, 2025 the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) directed the prosecution processes against the content creator and online streamer for reckless driving.