Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced plans to host its 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) grand event on March 4, 2026.
The event, inspired by the global IWD 2026 theme “Give To Gain,” will be held under the topic “When Women Gain, We Grow,” with a focus on promoting a culture of intentional support, inclusion, and empowerment for women.
Speaking on the initiative, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing gender equality and expanding opportunities for women.
“Wema Bank does not pay lip service to gender inclusion; we walk the talk,” Oseni said. “A society that excludes women is a society that cripples itself. That is why we have consistently provided tailored opportunities for women and supported their journey to success. This philosophy inspired the launch of our women-focused proposition, SARA by Wema, in 2019 and continues to guide our efforts in promoting the fifth Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality.”
Oseni noted that the 2026 IWD theme resonates strongly with the bank, highlighting the importance of giving to women as a catalyst for social and economic growth.
“This year’s celebration is about impact—spotlighting, celebrating, and encouraging it. We want participants to leave with a renewed mindset and commitment to support women in everyday actions and large-scale initiatives as we bridge the gender gap,” he added.
The 2026 IWD event will convene women leaders across multiple industries alongside everyday women navigating social and economic realities. The platform aims to foster networking, knowledge sharing, and access to opportunities, while highlighting the collective impact of empowering women.
Key highlights of the event include the SARA Gives to Empower Her Award, which will provide grants to women driving impact; the He For She Award, recognising male employees supporting women beyond financial contributions; the Wema Knight Gives initiative, through which staff will give back to women across Nigeria; and the launch of the Wema Bank Girl Child Journal, featuring insights and advice from 80 contributors across various sectors.
Interested participants can register for physical or virtual attendance via wemabank.com/iwd.