…As Bank promises bigger SME–focused innovations ahead of 2026
Fidelity Bank Plc has been honoured as the MSME Bank of the Year at the Nigerian NewsDirect 15th Anniversary & Awards Ceremony, earning recognition for its continued leadership in supporting small and medium-scale enterprises across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the bank in an interview, Team Lead for Media and Internal Communications,Adebowale Banzi expressed delight at the achievement, describing the award as both exciting and deeply encouraging.
He said: “We are very happy, we feel elated, and we are grateful. We’ve supported NewsDirect for a long time, and being recognised as the MSME Bank of the Year is very heart-warming for us.”
The ceremony drew several high-profile personalities, including the Lagos State Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Lanre Adetokunbo Bajulaye; the Olota of Ota, Oba (Prof.) Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; Chairman of Gibraltar Construction Nigeria Limited, Sir Olu Okeowo; Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu; Managing Director of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engr. (Dr) Adedeji Ashiru; Hon. Benjamin Olabinjo of the House of Representatives; and the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, represented by Executive Director, Risk Management, Kevin Ugwuoke, among other distinguished guests.
Banzi highlighted Fidelity Bank’s SME-focused achievements, noting that the bank is leading innovations that competitors are only beginning to follow.
“For instance, we launched our SME Hub in Gbagada in February, and since then no one else has matched that,” he explained.
He added that the bank has secured multiple partnerships aimed at reducing Nigeria’s funding gap, providing SMEs with improved access to financial support.
“If you don’t have an SME account with Fidelity Bank, now is the best time to open one. By 2026, we will be introducing initiatives that will truly blow your mind,” he assured.
Banzi also commended NewsDirect for its growth and resilience in the media sector.
“Fifteen years is not a small accomplishment in the Nigerian media space. NewsDirect has diversified beyond print into other platforms, and we congratulate them. We will continue to support them,” he said.