Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital banking platform, ALAT, Wema Bank says this year’s celebration will align with the global IWD 2026 theme, “Give To Gain,” while adopting its own local focus: “When Women Gain, We Grow.”
The theme underscores a strategic principle: investing in women is not an act of charity but a catalyst for economic and social growth. The event will highlight the tangible ripple effects that purposeful support for women can generate, from strengthening families to driving innovation in businesses and fostering societal progress.
Moruf Oseni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, emphasized that the bank remains deliberate in advancing gender inclusion. “A society where women are left out is one that is crippled,” he said. Oseni highlighted Wema Bank’s consistent prioritization of initiatives that create tailored opportunities for women, spanning financial access, enterprise support, and advocacy.
A cornerstone of this approach has been the bank’s launch of SARA in 2019, a women-focused proposition offering financial solutions, networking platforms, and capacity-building opportunities for female customers and entrepreneurs. Oseni noted that these efforts are aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality, framing inclusion as both a moral and economic imperative.
Unlike conventional celebrations, Wema Bank says the 2026 edition will focus on measurable impact, recognizing individuals and initiatives that have tangibly supported women’s progress. One of the highlights will be the SARA Gives to Empower Her Award, which provides grants to women who have actively empowered other women. The bank will also honor male employees advocating for women’s advancement through the He For She Award, emphasizing allyship as an essential component of gender equity.
The March 4 gathering promises to convene both high-profile women leaders across industries and everyday women navigating professional and personal challenges. Organizers say the platform will foster networking, knowledge-sharing, and access to opportunities, while encouraging open conversations about the shared and contrasting realities women face.
By combining recognition, storytelling, grants, and corporate-backed initiatives, Wema Bank aims to create a “transformational experience” that inspires both mindset shifts and actionable support. Participants can join physically or virtually by registering on the bank’s website.
With this announcement, Wema Bank signals that its 2026 IWD celebration will move beyond commemoration to mobilization, positioning support for women not as a one-day event but as a sustained strategy for collective growth.