Lead, Workplace and Gender Banking, Wema Bank, Abiola Nejo (Left); Executive Director, Retail and Digital Business, Wema Bank, Tunde Mabawonku; Director, Enterprise Development Center, Nneka and Divisional Head, Retail, Wema Bank, Ayodele Olojede, at the Transforming Nigerian Youth Program Press Conference organized by Wema Bank in partnership with EDC and Mastercard Foundation held today at Wema Bank’s Head Office, Marina, Lagos.

WEMA Bank says it will empower 10,000 young women by offering them support and training across a wide range of businesses and vocations.

The move, it noted, would be in collaboration with the Entrepreneurial Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University and Mastercard.

During a press briefing in Lagos, the Executive Director for Retail and Digital Business, Wema Bank, Tunde Mabawonku, said the alliance would not only promote inclusivity and align with the Sustainable Development Goals, but also generate authentic job prospects for the dynamic youth population, triggering positive transformations for individuals, enterprises, and families nationwide.

“With great pride, we embrace the role of architects in this initiative, igniting a spark that promises to set a journey of growth and progress into motion,” he said.

The Divisional Head of Retail and Small and Medium Enterprise at Wema Bank, Ayodele Olojede, said the collaboration would empower female customers by enhancing their skills, unleashing their potential, boosting employability, and ultimately equipping them to become successful entrepreneurs in their right.

He said, “Through this alliance, 10,000 female business owners who are valued customers of Wema Bank will receive complimentary training from seasoned professionals, courtesy of Pan-Atlantic University’s Entrepreneurial Development Centre.

“Among these, 50 individuals will earn the prestigious opportunity to become certified Business Development Support Providers  through SMEDAN. Moreover, in our commitment to nurturing exceptional entrepreneurs, we are pleased to provide some of them with grants and seed funding of up to N500,000 each, enabling them to translate their learning into tangible business success.”

He added, “As pioneers of this transformative capacity-building initiative, we are eager to witness the remarkable positive changes that will emerge from this programme. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone participating both virtually and in person.”

According to the Director at EDC, Nneka Okekerau, the training cut across those who were entrepreneurs in creative, digital, and agribusiness sectors.

She said there was a need to change the mindset to get positive results.