Wema Bank Plc has appointed 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah as its One-Day Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration held on May 27, 2025. The symbolic appointment took place at the bank’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos, and was the highlight of the bank’s broader youth-focused initiative aimed at promoting financial literacy and leadership among children.
Mbah was chosen from dozens of entries submitted by children across Nigeria who participated in an online challenge organised by the bank. As part of the campaign, children were asked to wear Wema Bank colours and post short videos explaining what banking role they aspired to, and why. The entries were open to holders of either the Royal Kiddies Account (for children aged 0–12) or the ALAT Xplore Wallet (for teenagers aged 13–17).
Mbah’s video stood out for its passion, clarity, and unique vision. He spoke about his dream to lead a bank and make financial services fun and accessible for children. His winning entry earned him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step into the shoes of Wema Bank’s top executive for a day.
Wema Bank rolled out the purple carpet for the young MD on Tuesday, welcoming him with fanfare and a full itinerary of executive activities. Mbah was given a guided tour of the bank’s head office, participated in high-level boardroom meetings, and even addressed some of the bank’s top senior executives.
Speaking during his one-day leadership role, Mbah said, “This is the best day of my life. Wema Bank made me feel important. I am learning so much about being a leader and how banking works. I’ll tell all my friends to open a Wema Bank Royal Kiddies Account so they can also start learning how to save, and maybe one day, they can be MD too!”
The initiative is part of Wema Bank’s Children’s Day programme, which combined fun and education to spark early interest in financial responsibility and leadership. The campaign also aligns with the bank’s 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of service and innovation in Nigeria’s financial sector.
Wema Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Moruf Oseni, said the initiative reflects the bank’s forward-thinking approach to investing in future leaders. “Our 80th anniversary is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going, knowing fully well that the future belongs to the young stars like Mbah. Today’s activity is one of our ways of showing that we believe in the children, that we’re listening, and that we’re committed to helping them succeed financially, personally, and professionally all the way,” he said.
Oseni noted that the bank sees its youth banking products—such as the Royal Kiddies Account and ALAT Xplore Wallet—not just as savings accounts, but as platforms to teach financial literacy and prepare young Nigerians for a brighter future.
Children’s Day in Nigeria is traditionally celebrated to honour children and promote policies that support their welfare. In line with this year’s celebration, Wema Bank’s campaign blended creativity, engagement, and purpose by giving thousands of Nigerian children the chance to dream big and see themselves in leadership roles.
The initiative has received positive attention from parents, educators, and industry observers, with many praising the bank for encouraging children to think about money management, leadership, and future careers at an early age.
With this move, Wema Bank is not just celebrating 80 years of legacy but also positioning itself as a brand committed to financial education and youth empowerment. The bank continues to set itself apart in Nigeria’s banking industry with innovative campaigns that combine digital tools with social impact.
