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| L-R: Co-President, Ashoka Africa, Angelou Ezeilo; Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede; Team Lead, Retail Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Onyeka Kurume; Winners of the Changemaker Idea Pitch-A-Thon from Abule-Eko Community Junior Grammar School, District 2, Ikorodu, Lagos; their Teacher, Alabi Felix; Project Coach, Opeoluwa Jamiu; Branch Leader, Fidelity Bank Plc Festac, Ethel Genesis; and Regional Director, Ashoka Anglophone West Africa, Josephine Nzerem; at the Ashoka Young Changemakers Festival held recently in Lagos. |
In a strategic move to bolster youth innovation and social impact, Fidelity Bank Plc has partnered with Ashoka, a global organization of social entrepreneurs, to offer financial support, mentorship, and enterprise development opportunities to young changemakers across Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the 2025 Ashoka Young Changemakers Festival held in Lagos, which spotlighted bold ideas and transformative leadership by young Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, Osita Ede, Divisional Head of Product Development at Fidelity Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to fostering a generation of empowered, socially responsible innovators.
“Empowerment is at the core of everything Fidelity Bank stands for. Creativity and innovation are fundamental to our brand essence, which is why we’re proud to support these incredible young changemakers. Listening to their ideas today reaffirms the value of the investments we’re making to nurture entrepreneurship and impact-driven thinking,” said Ede.
He further revealed that Fidelity Bank would be extending its support through access to its SME Hub, offering specialized masterclasses, mentorship programs, and business development resources designed to equip the young innovators for long-term success.
“We’re not just offering funds; we’re building a sustainable ecosystem for growth. Our SME Hub will guide these changemakers with real-world business knowledge and support networks to help them thrive,” he added.
Josephine Nzerem, Regional Director for Ashoka Anglophone West Africa and Director of Venture & Talent for Ashoka Africa, expressed deep appreciation for Fidelity Bank’s continued involvement.
“We’ve moved from being Fidelity’s clients to becoming true partners in social change,” said Nzerem. “Their unwavering support, including funding for awards and gift packs, is vital to this journey. Together, we are scaling the potential of young people to become catalysts of change in their communities and beyond.”
The festival unveiled nine new Ashoka Young Changemakers, each with pioneering ideas poised to tackle social challenges across Nigeria. The event also featured workshops, innovation showcases, and community-led storytelling sessions to inspire youth participation in civic and entrepreneurial leadership.
Together, Fidelity Bank and Ashoka are building a pipeline of future-ready leaders who will drive inclusive, scalable change in Nigeria and beyond.