In a remarkable gesture of mentorship and empowerment, Moruf Oseni, the Managing Director and CEO of Wema Bank, Nigeria's oldest indigenous bank and pioneer of Africa's first fully digital bank, ALAT, has donated his one-day salary for May 27th to Chiderije Mbah. Chiderije, a 12-year-old prodigy, earned the unique distinction of becoming Wema Bank's "1-day MD/CEO" as part of the bank's innovative Children's Day initiative.

The "Wema Bank 1-day MD/CEO" program, launched on May 21, 2025, invited Nigerian children to submit video entries showcasing their leadership potential and aspirations within the banking sector. From a pool of enthusiastic applicants, Chiderije Mbah's submission stood out, demonstrating an exceptional understanding of the MD/CEO role and ultimately earning him the coveted opportunity to step into Oseni's shoes for Children's Day.

Chiderije's day at Wema Bank's Head Office in Lagos was met with widespread admiration, both locally and internationally. From a grand reception to one-on-one meetings with senior bank executives, the initiative was lauded as an unparalleled example of Wema Bank's commitment to nurturing future leaders.

Capping off an already inspiring day, Oseni surprised Chiderije by presenting him with his one-day salary for May 27th. This thoughtful act served as an encouragement for the young "MD/CEO" to persist in his hard work and strive towards achieving his aspirations of real-world leadership in the future.

Handing over the symbolic reins of office to Chiderije, Oseni articulated the bank's profound motivation behind commemorating Children's Day with such a significant and intentional initiative. "As a Bank, our mission is to empower lives through innovation, and this is a mission we are committed to seeing through from cradle to grave, as encapsulated in our creed, ‘With You, All The Way’," Oseni stated. He emphasized the critical importance of Children's Day, recognizing that "Every great man, woman or even institution, was once a child, so to forge the leaders of tomorrow, we need to begin today."

Oseni highlighted Wema Bank's consistent efforts over eight decades to innovate and empower children for a brighter future. "But today, in commemoration of Children’s Day 2025, we are taking things a step further and giving the leaders of tomorrow a platform to lead today. As Chiderije will be carrying out my duties for today, it is only right that he earns my one-day salary today. The Wema way is ‘work hard, reward hard’, and as MD/CEO for today, Chiderije will experience it first-hand. It is our hope that this will inspire not just him, but every other child to put in the good work and make us proud. Happy Children’s Day, from Wema Bank,” he concluded.

A visibly grateful Chiderije Mbah expressed his commitment to making Wema Bank proud. "Thank you very much Sir, for trusting me with this great opportunity, and for always looking out for the children. I am proud to be a part of the Wema Bank family, the bank that not only supports our parents in raising us the right way but also empowers us with the tools and guidance that we need to become financially smart as we grow older," Chiderije remarked. He added, "Today has shown me that the sky is just the starting point for every child, and I am excited to spread the word to other children. I look forward to learning from you, the experts, and getting more insights into what it means to be a leader, especially for an organisation like Wema Bank, that has stood strong for 80 years. Thank you again for giving me your time and trusting me with this important responsibility. I will make Wema Bank proud!”

Since its establishment in 1945, Wema Bank has built a strong reputation for its dedicated approach to empowering individuals across all ages and demographics. Beyond annual Children's Day celebrations, the bank offers child-focused financial solutions such as the Royal Kiddies Account for children aged 0-12 and the ALAT Xplore App for teenagers aged 13-17. 

These initiatives aim to help parents secure a stable future for their children while equipping the younger generation with essential financial resources and practical literacy skills for responsible financial management as they grow.