Wema Bank, Nigeria’s pioneering financial institution marked International Women’s Day 2025 with a grand event on Tuesday at its Head Office in Lagos.
The event brought together leading women from various industries to discuss the theme, Harnessing Innovation & Technology to Accelerate Financial Inclusion for Women, in line with the global IWD 2025 theme, Accelerate Action.
The discussions underscored the need for innovative solutions to improve financial access for women and drive long-term empowerment.
One of the event’s major highlights was the graduation ceremony of the Big Sister Programme’s second cohort under the Wema Women Network, celebrating the achievements of women who had undergone mentorship and capacity-building training.
The HeForShe 2025 Awards also took centre stage, recognising male employees who have actively contributed to advancing gender equality within the bank. The initiative aims to inspire more men to become allies in the movement for women’s empowerment.
A thought-provoking panel session, moderated by media personality and TV presenter Olive Emodi, featured distinguished voices in business and social impact.
The panel included Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director of the Enterprise Development Centre at Pan-Atlantic University, Solape Akinpelu, CEO of HerVest, and Tochi Ginigeme, Lead Deal Matchmaking at Impact Investors Foundation.
The speakers provided critical insights into dismantling barriers and leveraging technology to create inclusive financial opportunities for women.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Wema Bank, Dr. Oluwayemisi Olorunshola, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on Gender Equality.
Reflecting on her journey as Wema Bank’s first female chairman, she emphasised the significance of tangible action in the pursuit of gender inclusion.
She noted that Accelerate Action was not just a theme but a call for real change, urging individuals and corporations to take decisive steps toward empowering women.
Wema Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Moruf Oseni (FCIB), reinforced the institution’s long-standing commitment to gender equity, highlighting the bank’s legacy of supporting women since its inception in 1945.
He spoke about the success of SARA by Wema, a women-focused initiative launched in 2019 to address gender disparities in finance.
Through this platform, Oseni said Wema Bank has banked over 400,000 previously unbanked women, disbursed more than ₦75 billion in low-interest loans, provided over $20,000 in grants, created over 900 jobs for women, and connected 3,000 women to more than 135,000 customers, generating over $4 million in sales.
He stated that Wema Bank does not just speak about women’s empowerment but actively implements strategies to achieve it.
As the bank prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary on May 2, 2025, Oseni reaffirmed Wema Bank’s unwavering dedication to fostering a future where women thrive, where equity is the norm, and where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.
